All that can be said is that this 12” is both brilliant and daring whilst reflecting this Maltese musician’s ample abilities. The lines of genres are rewritten with Farrugia employing acid, breaks, electro, techno and even a touch of braindance noodling to create a one-of-a-kind release of remarkable quality.
An embrace of squelching bubbles and serene sounds
Some might say vinyl is obsolete, maybe it is. Despite such claims, the fact of the matter is that the physical is often a solid endorsement of the content. Three hundred copies might be the new norm, but the time and energy (not to mention money) invested in those 12s more often than not reflects the quality. This is undoubtedly the case with Distant Worlds.
Quality is synonymous with the British label, an imprint that has championed a more intimate and warmer brand of electro and techno. For its latest, a rising star in electronics has been drafted in. Keith Farrugia, better known as Sound Synthesis, might have begun releasing music more than a decade ago, but it is only in recent years that this artist is hitting his stride in terms of output. While the world closed up in 2020, this Maltese musician found himself with releases on AC Records, Gated Recordings and Furthur Electronix. Orbital Frequencies marks the latest in this treasure trove of music.
“Planet Hope” opens and is guaranteed to have an impact. Sublime synth lines are buttressed by spikey snares and steady kicks as Farrugia unveils his astral audioscape. The piece is beautifully crafted, soaring strings floating before 303 coils earth the track after the break. “Thinking of You” comes from a similar place. The percussion is playfully skittish with melodies following suit. Bright bars bend and flex as ever inviting tones dawn and glow. The flip is introduced by the welcoming rays of “Transmission of Life.” Crisp beats dance atop flowing chords, snares punctuating the subtle grandeur. Colder breezes enter with the late autumnal “Spiral Reverb.” Despite the cooler sounds, the warmth that permeates this four-tracker continues into the close. Keys mingle and melt in an embrace of squelching bubbles and serene sounds.
It is hard to say whether such a recent string of releases has bolstered Sound Synthesis’ confidence, a confidence that has led to this EP. All that can be said is that this 12” is both brilliant and daring whilst reflecting this Maltese musician’s ample abilities. The lines of genres are rewritten with Farrugia employing acid, breaks, electro, techno and even a touch of braindance noodling to create a one-of-a-kind release of remarkable quality.
Orbital Frequencies is available on Distant Worlds.
