OPM: Deconstruct/reconstruct

Sweet Freeze – Inversion

Delicate and minimal art-pop songs constructed of ethereal female vocals, found sound snippets and soft-edged, wobbly synth tones. The four actual songs are reminiscent of a more stripped-down Kate Bush, with a focus on the diaphanous vocals and atmosphere; a fifth short track sets the mood with some sampled voices, a quiet piano sequence and some weird sound effects. 

“Flutter” is probably the best of the bunch, with its relatively approachable piano arrangement and floating, dreamy vocal that invites comparison to Kate Bush. I’ve thrown the term “ghostwave” around to describe my own music from time to time, but if anything is ghostwave, it’s this.

(Listened to the whole EP)

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attks th drknss – Perpetually Apologizing to the People of Jupiter

Two tracks of dense, weird experimental electronica. The opener is a short, intense package of chopped and processed string pads that form something like an audio funhouse mirror by the time it’s over. The second track is a 13-minute monster that sounds like early Pink Floyd jamming with early Tangerine Dream, but noisier and more chaotic than you’re imagining. 

Noise, distorted drones, hypnotic arpeggios and some renegade Atari noises all find their way into, and out of, the mix. When it’s all said and done the Tangerine Dream bits come out on top and, in any case, it was definitely worth the ride. 

(Listened to the entire EP)

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Prince Lucija – “My Shame on Your Power”

A unique and impressive track of deconstructed techno art-pop. A minimal electronic bass pulse drives the song, while irregular bursts of noise and other sounds fly around the mix. Click-and-cut percussion and abstract synth hits finish the arrangement, and halfway thru a distorted, largely unintelligible voice whispers its way in to top things off with an abstract vocal. Unusual and distinctive approach that seems worthy of additional material.

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Tarpan – “Deploy Pyre”

A dark, intense deconstruction of electro, early industrial/EBM and horror movie aesthetics into a unique whole. Some really great electro sound design, creative drum programming and bold arrangement choices are all standout features. For most people, your appreciation is going to hinge on the heavy, in-your-face vocal – delivered distorted, loud and sort of talk-singing. If that’s your thing, you’ll dig this.

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Snap Infraction – eephus

Polished and accessible pop-rock songs from a classic guitar-bass-drums lineup. This sort of song-based rock band album, with a few stylistic tweaks, would have sounded at home pretty much any time between 1977 and 2013 or so. These days, it’s actually kind of rare! And standing at the apex of musical history they can and do incorporate the best bits from pretty much everywhere, from pop-punk hooks to ‘70s vocal harmonies, into the mix. 

The songs are assembled with skill, and liberally deploy hooks and tasteful solos and woo-woo choruses as needed. Appreciation for this sort of band is always based on your own particular affinity for their specific vibe, so have a listen and see how your taste and theirs align.

(Listened to tracks 1 thru 6)