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| Photo by Samura Silva |
Manatee Commune - Simultaneity
Soft and luscious sounds abound on “Love Tone”, the opening track on Simultaneity, the recent album from Seattleite Manatee Commune. This beatless introduction is not without rhythm but is mainly a layering of vocalises and ambient synths. It sets off an album of largely beat-driven electronic music that aims skyward while not ignoring gravity. In music theory, simultaneity is when more than one complete musical texture occurs at the same time, rather than in succession, an approach constituted into these complex songs. There’s more than enough to bask in, namely the cool chill of “Mosaic” and the stark contrast of dynamics in “Cyclic”. A summery collection that is more warm rain than sunshine.★★★★½
Brendan Byrnes - Transfigured Earth I & II
LA-based artist Brendan Byrnes’ recently released album Transfigured Earth I & II is actually two separate EPS combined. The first EP, Transfigured Earth I, is a melodic and breezy assortment of stylish synthetic pop rock (Everything”, “Halfway”), while the second instalment of his transfigured earth is slightly edgier (“Blue Skies”, “Remote Caverns”). Both halves ruminate around microtonal, somewhat queasy, experiments in alternative songwriting and sound. The effect can be disorienting, but also uplifting. ★★★
Yosef Gutman - Why Ten?
Yosef Gutman practically exudes composure on Why Ten?, a fetching collection of 12 instrumental songs. The South-African-born, Berklee-educated, Jerusalem-based composer has made the bass guitar his modus operandi, playing that instrument with assured vigour. At the same time, collaborator Gilad Hekselman helms the guitar with heartfelt electric licks (“Soul Spark”) and more intimate intentions (“From Darkness to Light”) living alongside patient drumming from Ofri Nehemya and the occasional reed from Gilad Ronen. This is a low-light and subdued collection of ultimately optimistic music that generates warmth and light. ★★★★
Christopher Lock - Ephemerist
Across the seven tracks of profound ambience found on Ephemerist, Cambridge, Mass composer and producer Christopher Lock reaches the extremes of his curious craft. Holding a PhD in music composition from Harvard, Lock’s music is understandably dense, and one will require a beard for stroking should they wish to unravel the mystery concealed in his work. Lock’s primary instrument is the viola, which he has morphed with computer effects and buried underneath substantial textures. There are rhythmic elements like drum programming and pizzicato flourishes (“Lighlike”), but the sound is far from energetic and is often a morose and introspective (“Ornith”) assemblage of fine-art sounds arranged with an astute awareness. ★★★
Alek Barkats - Here we are in the garden
There’s a barn-dance aesthetic permeating much of Here we are in the garden by Philadephia-based singer-songwriter Alek Barkats. This isn’t done in a hokey way, but with a measured detachment that aims to provide care for the listener via persistent lightheartedness. There’s a jovial bounce to songs like “Butter” and “Let me be your bread”, but there are also more casually earnest moments such as “Like a Cloud” and “Hologram”. However, no matter the delivery, the songs have a cosy and familiar feeling, and somehow sound as earthy as their subject matter. While a veritably safe expression of the everyday struggle of modern life and the comforts found within, there is an abundance of hope in the intent that can inspire visions of a land of milk and honey.★★★