I Can't Wait To Hear You Out | 22/04/2020

Hey guys, I hope everyone is keeping as well as they can at the moment. I've never felt my own needs fluctuate so constantly before, as this situation has caused. Some days I am completely reliant on structure, routine, and being constantly busy with productivity to try and feel like this time means something and it isn't just all bleak. Others, the thought of trying to force myself into filling the time is just painful, I need to just dissociate from reality for a while and pretend it isn't happening. 

A crap note to start on, but it's pointless not being honest about things right now. We all already have to do act like it's all fine every day on our zoom calls, on the same repetitive text messages we send as we continue through this limbo state. I've actually found it difficult to write, but not from an emotional perspective. I think that while I'm still consuming lots of music, I'm just not experiencing it the same way I would normally. I'm not hearing it out, identifying it with moments and realisations, chewing my friends' ears off about why it's so peng, sharing and repeating on commutes to work and back from parties. Without that inspiration, the words don't come as freely, and so, for now, I thought I'd talk about a few tracks I can't wait to experience in the flesh, when we finally can.


#1 idontknow - Jamie XX

Last week, Jamie dropped a new track after several years hiatus from his own music. I've been waiting for this to be released officially for a while, and needless to say it's faultless. Everything about it screams 'losing it on the dancefloor', whether its the tempo change 1:20 in, or the turret gun effect of the drums. That being said, the harmonic and melodic plot has the same emotive warmth to it that is signature of his style, it's entirely his sound. With it definitely being a progression from his earlier work, I really think it stands a signpost for music that will change the experience of his live shows. To imagine how he'll move from moments like 'Obvs', 'SeeSaw' and 'Loud Places' into this area is already exciting me, and it's a new era I can't wait to be part of.

#2 - Can't Do Without You - Caribou

One of the many concerts I had cancelled/postponed was Caribou at O2 Academy Brixton; I've seen Daphni sets a few times but this was my first for the big C. I had already envisioned how this song might feel; it's a really important one for me and the close ones in my life, and it's all summed up in those four word; 'Can't Do Without You'. As the synth textures build up and up, further and further, that sense of euphoria you feel when you dance with others who feel exactly the same as you in that moment surrounds you. The sound gets grittier, the harmonics swell and envelope you in the gravity of that statement, and for just a second, everything around you disappears. That's what music should do.

#3 - Belfast - Orbital

Another failed gig... this time I actually decided myself not to go to Printworks just before the lockdown rather than have the gig cancelled. There's a lot of music from this entire era that I still want to see in action, but now that I missed Orbital once, it's my mission to see them as soon as I possibly can. 'Belfast' has a certain grace to it that captures the beauty, the light and brilliance of rave that is less discussed. If I'm going to really go for it, I'm imagining us all at Glastonbury next summer, that vocal sample soaring over our heads as the bass shakes the ground under our feet, forgetting any of this ever happened, the sun setting (or rising!) behind us. Maybe it's too picture perfect, but I'm speaking it into existence.

#4 - One More Time

Right, this one is definitely a stretch. But not being able to get tickets to anything for such a long time has really made me think about who is particularly important for me to see before I die. Daft Punk probably comes in at number one, with this song in particular. For me, this dropping, and the unanimity of what it is with all those people across the globe, has the same elation of the new year countdown, or a surprise birthday cheer. The fact that it's been so long since they've toured and the mystery of if they'll ever return only adds to that. This live album they released I only came across when one of my friends copped it on vinyl, but I really think it captures just how magical their entire performance would be, let alone the arrival of this seminal moment in pop music.

Anyway, that does it for now. I think it's pretty clear I really miss the dancefloor lol. Stay safe and stay at home, massive props to everyone working in healthcare no matter what you're doing. The government has let you down but you're still not letting us all down in turn, and nothing will ever be able to express our gratitude. Be kind to yourself everyone. Oh, and here's a playlist update with these songs and more I want to hear live, plus some new stuff xx

The Vast Expanse of Sound | 1/4/20

Good evening, hope this post finds you well and that you are keeping safe during these worrying times? That feels like the standard way to open every message right now one of many signs of the times. While the majority of the content I've been seeing produced has been vapid, trying to get a share of the hype with momentary fads and forgettable trends, it's undeniable that the blunt change in lifestyle has bred some authentic, isolated cultural and societal instances. Home video is everywhere, clapping for the NHS was a real heartfelt moment, but actually it's the nuances of things that seem to be happening naturally that I've found interesting. In general, people are friendlier and more polite outside when you do encounter each other on your run or whatever, for London at least, and WhatsApp voice messages, themselves spreading at viral speed. The giant lasagne being cooked underneath Wembley Stadium is like some sort of myth of the quarantine period, generating a myriad off-shoot stories from its sturdy core. The one that has struck me the most exciting, has been a version of Billie Eilish's 'ILOMO', supposedly '8D Music', in reality 3D binaural audio. [I have no good visuals this time, so enjoy some pictures of my dog]

Listen to the track here (with headphones). It's an absolutely incredible example of the technique used in post-production, essentially using a panner and reverb, but it's immaculately mixed so that the sound literally sounds like it's floating around inside your head. Of course, it's just something cool to pass along once you've listened, but I really think there's a larger comment on our current reality. Human beings aren't going to lose their interest in music, and a fundamental part of what makes it so brilliant to us is sharing a sonic experience with the people around you, hence why moments from live music stick so vividly in our minds for years and years. If we're unable to be with each other physically, this desire to share has to take a new form, and listening to a track like this for the first time evokes a unique reaction that can make us feel connected to each other in the novelty of this 'sonic experience'. It's a new connection, outside of the memories from normality, that still feels personal in the word-of-mouth method of passing from one to another on WhatsApp. 

As I was writing up the points I wanted to cover for this yesterday, Max Cooper released a version of his track 'Synthesis' using the same 3D binaural processing technique, which is available here with great visuals from Kevin McGloughlin as usual. It's not quite as dramatic as the above, but still highlights the sheer amount of space there is within the sound environment that isn't usually utilised. He gives a much more in-depth explanation of the science behind 3D music in the description, and the timing of this release made me wonder if this is something we're going to see more of in the coming months. With live music essentially of the cards and everybody clambering to fill the void of potential exploration in the enjoyment of music, perhaps it is time to truly rethink the listening experience itself? How much beauty can you hide in the corners of the world that's being built between your ears?

As of yet, the effect is only achieved when you wear your earphones to separate the sound waves, but technology never ceases to advance. Should these effects be achievable or even elevated within a home sound system or exhibition space, I can imagine that the journeys you could be taken on artistically could be sensational. Yoga sessions could transcend into all-encompassing ambience. The illusion of VR could be taken further and further. Maybe it's not possible, but the current state of the world has made me realise that culture will constantly evolve and adapt to still bring the most incredible ideas to light, no matter how heavy the restrictions.

In terms of the electronic music industry's attempts to keep 'live' music continuing, there have been plenty of amazing streams going on.  Resident Advisor had a whole virtual club, Club Quarantäne, going on all weekend, although the sets were prerecorded. I really enjoyed Mall Grab's Boiler Room, but DJ EZ definitely took the cake with a 24 hour set. Shoutout to Bandcamp also for a 24 hour period of waiving revenue shares, meaning musicians made $4.3million for their own music.

On that note, there has been plenty of amazing great music to keep us going! Bicep finally released the first track from their upcoming project, 'Atlas', signalling hope that dance floors could be worth the wait when summer comes round. Maribou State released their 'fabric presents' instalment, blending some dance tunes in with soulful classic sounds, a real spread of genres and consistent movement between acoustic and digital, vintage and contemporary. Little Dragon delivered a new wave of mostly chilled vibes, with a couple tracks to get you moving mixed in, but the most exciting release for me has been Nicholas Jaar's 'Cenizas'. It's as off the wall as you'd expect, drawing sounds from a variety of classical areas, from solo piano to the celestial sounds of male choir. With moments of intense, industrial grit to balance the album out, the overall tone never loses the gentle grace of a single, snow-white feather while it floats above an endless, menacing chasm. Check it all out and some more great tracks in the playlist here, and as ever, stay safe during these worrying times. xx