Council Meeting Memo #026
Parris: Soaked in Indigo Moonlight (can you feel the sun, Album)
Parris’ debut long player has had me puzzled. That’s not a bad thing, just a little odd. I had no particular expectations to confound, but seven listens in and I’m still not sure what I’m listening to. It’s electronic, rhythmic, melodic, but that could be Kylie or it could be Hyph11e. Sometimes music just resists easy assimilation or a reviewer’s struggle to make an assessment (this brief review has gone through multiple edits, ending up like the proverbial Ship of Theseus). Sometimes that’s what keeps you intrigued, Laurie Anderson’s United States is one of many beloved examples for me, and keeps you returning to it. There are other times when that means an album just disappears in the rear view mirror. I’m sorry I can’t be more definitive. The best I can do at this point over a month after first hearing it is to share a few possible adjectives. Here you go: intriguing, subtle, playful, hard-to-pin-down (yes I know that last one’s not an adjective). Maybe I’ll write another review further down the line. Your take may vary… as always! CB
Sayno Productions: Waterglass (Touch, Album)
My previous reviews for Touch releases have been slightly pithy and snarky. But I have to hold my tongue for this one as I am simply in awe. Sounds of crashing sea waves, sheared strings and unsettling ambience. Maximum volume yields maximum results! SA
C.Z.: Heat Index (Evar, EP)
OK, this is enjoyably demented. ‘Midnight’ is hard trance par excellence. ‘Hurricane’ pricked up my ears with its bursts of junglist aggression piercing bubblegum melodies. But ‘Radial Lens’ is easily the stand out track: a masterclass in eased-up emotive electro, loaded with considered melodies and crunchy bitcrushed kicks. Buy this. SA
ED2D: #003 (Longhaul, EP) Sounds like someone making music whilst EastEnders was on telly in the background. ‘Poli Digi’ playfully bats about with a half-time junglist rhythm in-between bursts of foul-mouthed wisdom from a cockney. A similar theme is carried over on ‘Mobile Patrol Coupe’ but the pick of the quality mix for me is the outgoing ‘Bonus Jungle’. Which teases with a chopped up breakbeat for what seems like half the running time before finally committing with a barrage of everything the genre can throw at you. SA
MLO: Oumuamua (Music From Memory, Compilation)
Released back in October 2021. Recognised the band after hearing them on one of those old 90’s ‘Trance Europe Express’ compilations. Y’know, the ones that came with a small book. Anyway, slept on it and then strangely found myself listening to it digitally on repeat. Made the decision to get the vinyl, find out it’s sold out everywhere and Discogs prices are creeping up. Luckily Kristina Records in Dalston had it in stock. Didn’t have much to do on New Years’ Eve so hopped on the 43 bus to Highbury and Islington. Got off at The Garage and transferred to the №30 to Hackney Wick. Finally reached Kristina and by chance my favourite track ‘Mystic Systems’ was playing on the shop system. Picked up the record, popped by Broadway Market to get some fish’n chips then got on the 236 home. A good way to end the year. SA
