From its very beginning, 2017 stumbles towards the awesomeness. The clusters of audiophile delights that will most certainly leave a trace in electronic music universe. Zooming in, we find the releases from and : all bound to have an enormous impact on the years to follow.Thievery Corporation, Bonobo, Brian EnoSohn
As a true music junkie, I can not emphasize enough on significance of these records. But first, please welcome the setters and breakers of indie-to-mainstream trends! (And don’t get too comfortable, they will reinvent themselves once again!) Let us explore the nearest star in the cluster.
Sohn in German means “son”, though in Russian changes into a “dream” (сон), which, in my humble opinion, couldn’t possibly describe any better the delicate sound creations of London born artist. His latest musical effort is indeed dreamy, introvert, intimate, silky and multi-dimensional.
Rennen in turn is “running”, and what comes to my highly imaginative mind is a search for home. There were London, Vienna and now Los Angeles residences; I sense a longing for an adventure, and, allow one to speculate - terra incognita. A journey to find a place where dreams are as exquisite as the melodies evoked from musical universe.Sohn
Artist’s latest single further explores album’s theme (or, in this case feeds my imagination) of running away to a safer place or anything in that direction: “Conrad”,
“I can feel it coming over the hillside
It's a valley fire and it's coming to burn us down.
Like a rushing comet bound for the planet
And we're dinosaurs living in denial…”
I am intrigued and, frankly, hooked; I can feel the change coming too.
He sounds optimistic yet worried, while the keys and weeping synths build up a melodic blockbuster that could’ve easily made any R&B influencer anxious and jealous (that might or might not be ).Justin Timberlake
Not particularly keen of comparisons, but, can’t ignore the vivid associations with some outstanding existing material; to mind comes and (some are distinctively known collaborators), while the video for the first taste of - starring , reminds the raw emotional expression of in by the ethereal .Jamie Woon, James BlakeBanks“Rennen”“Signal”Milla JovovichNaomi Campbell“Drone Bomb Me”Anohni
All the incomparable artists are phenomenal and nothing to be ashamed of when compared with. In today’s world it’s almost impossible not to reference one musician to another. Disturbing, but inevitable thought…
Now, itself is a sensible atmospheric ballad, - while showcasing a slight departure from previous work, the track will sweep you of your feet with the outstanding electronica transitions. When, almost comfortable with the soothing melody, there comes the formidable, signature passage and, later, the realization of being unexpectedly dragged into artist’s sonic moodiness. This skilled maneuver only, makes the song such a treat (and, marks a brilliant music producer)!“Signal”
is another stunner that does justice to be album opener. Visceral, epic and sultry, this absolute banger invades you; suggests joining a strange dance, or, just watching another human (humanoid?) doing the strange dancing. It slowly, but surely, puts you in a state of euphoria, and by the end of the track, you know you already surrendered to the album.“Hard Liquor”
Techno-esque, minimalist and beafy allows anyone who has or hasn’t a music ear to vocalize along, almost creating interactivity between artist and listener. But wait, there is more: the last 60 seconds shift into fierce harmony, and this time all the hype is about electronica.“Falling”
The sounds I, personally, favored and savored are: the transcendental and . The first one gets a bow from me for the atmospheric sax, enveloping reverbs and subtle vocals; the second one - for the blues esthetics, simplicity and memorable, eloquent theme change.“Still Waters”“Harbour”
I do admire musicians that bring the unexpected in today’s music, and applause the ones, who’s electronic aesthetics depart from what is already a cliché of the genre. It might be a “UK thing” really: that constant need to challenge its own music scene, and always end up setting an example to the rest of the world. (Hooray to that!)
Linking the debut LP to latest I cant help but notice personal evolution, and yet again, the realism and accessibility of electronic music (I believe to transition is an adequate example), - the tendency to strip down the sound palette, trading the altar of awesomeness for temple of outstanding songwriting and vocals.“Tremors”“Rennen”,Jamie Woon’s “Mirrorwriting”“Making Time”
This genuine effort is truly appealing and makes you want to listen to the record “on repeat”.
Needles to say, worlds needs artists and producers of magnitude, we are indeed living in the aftermath of the records like Sohn’s“Tremors”.
