(07.31.03) Those kind folks at U-Cover in Belgium definitely know how to extract the obscure from their roster of talent. Artists like Sense, Ten & Tracer, Esa Ruoho (a.k.a. Lackluster) and several others in the melancholic experimental electronic range have worked with this Belgian label to further their musical reach and aspirations. They’ve succeeded, we’re sure of that.
In the case of Adelaide, Australia’s multi-talented Tim Koch, he supplied U-Cover with 16 tracks of ambient sound-escapes that casually shed layers of guitar-driven meanderings and atmospheric chaos from time to time. But in all this natural instrumentation, Koch displays a pleasant view described by sounds that are uplifting, and oftentimes very relaxed.
As if almost tranquilized from his DeFocus release (Shorts in Alaska), Koch breaths life into the ambiences he creates. A quick glance at the artwork within this Digi-Pak depicts that life growing inside the greenery can just as quickly decompose a fade away. Such is the case with Islandtones; an aura of peacefulness and growth is manifested subtly from start to end with digital clicks silently breaking away in the background. Islandtones could also be representative of the changes that occur from season to season. On tracks like “Xemirynx (Yunx Remix),” a gratifying dose of analog bubbles dances with a calm hip-hop groove. “Vakohai” delivers vocodered lyrics by J. Lush melting with Koch’s signature rhythms, while “Broken English” and “Dry Bones (Live at Frigid)” exemplify Koch’s dedication to abrasive electronics rolled up into sincere percussive ingenuity. Quite a range of experimentation on this disc, but one that is thouroughly drenched in a sea of calm water.
While Islandtones‘ main influence is geared toward otherworldly ambiences, it’s a pleasant surprise to hear such a well rounded artist delving into genre’s that are otherwise left unexplored.
Islandtones is out now on U-Cover.
