Survey Channel :: Functional Gloss (Self Released)

The fluid, unhurried march of time—where each second blends seamlessly into the next, constantly shifting and evolving—creates the perfect backdrop for albums like Functional Gloss by Buffalo’s Matt Donatelli, under his Survey Channel project.

A sonic landscape that’s both reflective and mesmerizing

The fluid, unhurried march of time—where each second blends seamlessly into the next, constantly shifting and evolving—creates the perfect backdrop for albums like Functional Gloss by Buffalo’s Matt Donatelli, under his Survey Channel project. This album feels like a natural progression from his earlier work, Canvas Doubles (Werra Foxma, 2023), but with a distinct twist. Drawing inspiration from unconventional video game soundtracks, digital synths, romplers, and experimental percussion, Donatelli crafts a sonic landscape that’s both reflective and mesmerizing.

Evolving as a collection of arrangements that exude a sense of effortless expansiveness, each track unfolds with a delicate, gradual percussion—except for the serene undulations of “Hue,” “Active Position,” and “Loss of a Body.” These compositions are enriched by fragmented voices, ambient swells, and playful electronic bleeps, creating a dynamic listening experience. Functional Gloss, as a result, blends vibrant synths and soothing atmospheres, creating a sonic traverse that clears negativity and celebrates the often overlooked beauty of the world around us.

Tracks like “Deep Vision,” “Active Position,” “Hue,” “Total Station,” and the final sonic meditation, “Loss of a Body,” emerge as standout moments, each offering a nuanced blend of emotion and innovation.

Functional Gloss is available on Bandcamp.