Single Reviews: 21 May 2023: Twin Bridges, Ari Árelíus, Neil Foster, missing scenes, Unclean Architect
Twin Bridges - Come Out / On
alternativeThere's a sweeping urgency to "Come Out / On", the recent single from cellist and songwriter Twin Bridges. Originally from New Mexico and currently based in Portland, Oregon, the current musical project unfolded during the pandemic, when friends of the primary artist (real name not disclosed) came together to turn even more whimsical airy songs of intrigue. There's a bit of singing that follows the main melody, but the song fades out in a predominately instrumental fashion, adding a sense of philosophical weight to the already heady tune. Not only for fans of the cello but Twin Bridges also focuses on bringing together modern classical flair with pop-hook intentions. "Come Out /On" is taken from Twin Bridges' upcoming debut album Fertile Ashes. The album explores "overcoming grief from loss, trauma and relationships. Overall it is darker, melancholic, yet hopeful. The album is cello driven songs, with woodwind and brass layers." and that's well represented in this track, which has some struggle in its lighthearted step.
Ari Árelíus - Oology
experimental
Icelandic guitarist and producer Ari Árelíus works at the meeting place of psychedelic indie rock and world music. Upcoming single "Oology" struts by with a confident gait, wildly experimental and unashamedly ugly in places. Propelled by a simple drum machine, and featuring saxophonist Moritz Christiansen's eccentric playing, Árelíus unfolds gruesome worlds with glee, turning somewhat distressing instrumental music into what is quite pleasant and accessible jazz; the drums make it so, so rhythmic and easy to follow, and the sounds (is that a didgeridoo?) meld in spellbinding fashion. Oology is the study or collecting of birds' eggs. A fairly odd pastime, but to each their own. That sense of oddity is mirrored in this somewhat anxious track that has more than sufficient enthusiasm.
Oology is released on June 2 2023, presave here.
Neil Foster - Sheshkinmore
ambient
Inspired by the Sheshkinmore Nature Reserve in County Donegal, Belfast composer and producer Neil Foster ensembles a variety of nature sounds, lush synth pulses, and transfixing piano keys on the recent single "Sheskinmore". One can acquire a good sense of place while listening, and the long stretches on the coastline can be heard in sustained tones that stretch on around the waves of loose melodic structure. Foster's experience as a music therapist is well utilised on this track, the purpose of which seems to be to soothe and calm the listener. Foster's work has extended beyond ambient and therapeutic, having also been involved in the cinematic world. His music is cinematic and imagistic, despite being instrumental (thanks mainly to the nature sounds); images of coastlines and verdant fields spring to mind when listening, and serves up music's transportive quality that always puts the listener first.
missing scenes - lectreus ii
electronic
Much is to be said about the moon's influence over all aspects of life, from human behaviour to the oceans to electronic ambient artists from Portland Oregon, missing scenes. On first inspection, the sounds are your run-of-the-mill ambient drone music. However, missing scenes attaches a conceptual narrative around his drawn-out expanses of heavenly and hellish tones merging in unison. His recent EP cycle conceptualizes the importance of moon cycles by creating music between full moons, and thus sturgeon moon/beaver moon was recorded between said moons in 2022. are "lectreus ii" slow events of the transition of the moon mapped out with electronic precision and a devotional approach to moon worship to move towards shredding rays of distorted light.
Unclean Architect - Road to Ventura
ambient
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