Tag: Review

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

Electronic Music

Foreign Technology – Blue

 

It’s hard not to show a bit of favoritism when it comes to music from my hometown. And it’s not hard to justify – Brisbane has a rich musical heritage dating back to The Saints. There might just be something in the air, but there is something about the place that makes it fertile ground for music from a range of genres.

 

“Blue” is the first full-length album from Brisbane’s own Foreign Technology and it is another solid offering from the river city. A departure from his earlier Gary Numan inspired work, Blue sees Foreign Technology (aka Stephen Donohue) step into the world of big beat, plunging the listener into a sonic landscape that bears similarities to early Chemical Brothers. The opening track, “Beat-Ten” is a statement of intent – a mix of break beats and distorted bass lines that is designed to get the listener moving. The following seven tracks change up the pace, but the focus is always on big dance grooves. For me the standouts include the opening track, the acid-line catchiness of “Deeper” and the electro stylings of “Uprockt”.

 

Released on May 14 through Pink Dolphin Music, this is a superb album, full of big beat gems. Like I said, as a fellow Brisbanite, I might just be a little biased, but what can I do? I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this and I would highly recommend you take the time to do the same. I am not going to give my usual score out of five for this – rather…

 

Simon says listen to this album now.

LINKS

Album: https://pinkdolphinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/blue

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foreigntechnology

Twitter: https://twitter.com/steptek?lang=en

 

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

Ambient Electronic Music

ENILSounds – The Eagle – Instrumental and Vocal Versions

This is a bit of a different review for me – I am actually reviewing two songs that are one. Hailing from Denmark, ENILSounds released her most recent track – The Eagle (Instrumental) on April 30. The instrumental, however, is a stripped back version of the original track, which was released in March. My words here speak to both – two tracks that are equally beautiful and indicative of a talent that has only improved over the years.

ENILSounds’ music is best described as a “soft electronica” – a mix of ambience, new age sounds, moving piano work and touches of synthesized sounds. Her gentle approach to production is best heard in the more recent instrumental version, where sounds appear and disappear, and where melancholy piano chords hint at a longing that may just be beyond reach. The earlier version takes this and adds a vocal performance that is simultaneously fragile and assured. It takes the track to new heights – demonstrating first class song-writing skills from an artist who has created a sound that is truly unique.

I would strongly recommend listening to these two tracks – perhaps starting with the instrumental before moving on to the vocal version. In this way, you will truly come to appreciate the craft on display. The Eagle (Instrumental) and The Eagle demonstrate why ENILSounds is an artist to watch out for.

 

Simon says 4.5 stars out of 5 for the instrumental and 5 out of 5 stars for the vocal version.

5 Stars

LINKS

Distrokid: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/enilsounds/the-eagle

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/line_munch-petersen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MunchLine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENILSOUNDS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enilsounds/

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

 

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

 

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

Electronic Music

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso – Songe (from the In Waves EP)

 

Some music just needs to be heard. Some music is just so beautifully crafted that it would seem wrong for it not to reach the listeners that it so richly deserves. “Songe”, from the “In Waves” EP by French producer Franz Kirmann and Italian artist Roberto Grosso, is one such piece of music.

 

The track begins with a lush, ambient synth pad before adding a drum pulse and a simple melodic loop. Over the top of this is added a guitar figure that helps propel and develop the track. The addition of a bass and percussion towards the end of the track only serves to add additional layers of beauty to what is a carefully crafted song. The overall sound is grainy yet clear – cinematic yet personal. The overall impression is haunting yet peaceful.

 

I think I was wise to listen to this through headphones, as this is music that is made for repeated close listens. I highly recommend this track to anyone interested in music that gives more to its listeners than does the standard fare on radios around the world. “Songe” is the closing track of the “In Waves” EP and is out now through Days of Being Wild. Take some time to immerse yourself in its sounds – this is music that needs to be heard.

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

 

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Punk Rock Band

Club Bombardier – Run Mofo (EP)

 

Hailing from Paris, Club Bombardier creates a brand of rock and roll that is complex yet simple, derivative yet original, and immediately appealing. Their latest EP, Run Mofo, released in February this year, shows off the range of diverse, yet complementary rock stylings.

 

“2nd Advice” kicks off proceedings, and here the three-piece deliver a blistering slice of punk-rock inspired, hard driven rock.  This is four to the floor rock coupled with catchy hooks. “Perpetual Movement” sees the band slow down the pace and introduce more angular grooves and defined choruses. The third track, “Praha” is a standout for me. Demonstrating the band’s debt to Britpop, the track occasionally gives hints of the whimsy that was ever-present in that genre. “Virtual Vortex” is another change of pace, and here we detect elements of the stoner rock jams evident on classic Kyuss albums. Following on from this comes “In Time”, the most “contemporary” sounding of the tracks and what might count as the EP’s ballad. The closing track, “Nothing Personal” kicks off with a wonderful, distorted bass groove, before settling into a sound reminiscent of the opener – lending a pleasing symmetry to the EP.

 

It’s rare to listen to an album or EP and immediately be taken in. Club Bombardier manages this here and they are to be congratulated for it. I should also mention that they have coupled a fine collection of tracks with a wonderfully evocative piece of cover art – a detail that I notice a number of otherwise fine artists sometimes forget.

 

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

 

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clubbombardier

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_MZ6buPDc4i4cRfWp_1jA

Audio: “The Maeve Song” by Machi

Posted on by Eric Blackwell

Audio: “The Maeve Song” by Machi

EDM Review

Machi, a Canadian producer, composer, singer-songwriter builds her reputation as one of the most exciting EDM artists to follow. Her latest release entitled ‘The Maeve Song,’ is an example of an electro gem that is well-produced, and polished. Machi plays with instrumental layers and adds some additional flavor of synths. Her music is inspired by gaming, Scandinavian culture, and classic techno, which blended together create electrifying tunes. On ‘The Maeve Song,’ Machi includes heavy rotation of pop influences, and channels a distinct synergy filled with the vibe, and uniqueness. Play ‘The Maeve Song,’ and make sure to have a listen of all Machi’s productions.

 

Audio: “The Maeve Song” by Machi