Keef Baker returns with GFX steeped in the spirit of classic IDM, a nod to both vintage audio aesthetics and the gritty charm of early graphics eras.
A veteran of intricate sound design
Keef Baker returns with GFX steeped in the spirit of classic IDM, a nod to both vintage audio aesthetics and the gritty charm of early graphics eras. A veteran of intricate sound design and visual craft, Baker navigates a path through brittle glitch layers, metallic downtempo grooves, and scattered melodic threads. The result is a collection that bridges digital nostalgia with forward-thinking sonic craftsmanship.
From the hip-hop-inflected “EGA,” laced with Jvox-style phrasing and textured vocal snippets by Cliff Chapman, to the more abrasive contours of “XGA,” there’s a sense of playful contrast. Tracks like “VGA” and “SVGA” act as tonal counterweights, channeling the essence of retro electro-rock with simmering confidence. “CGA” stands out with its flickering rhythm-work, elastic sound collage, and evocative nods to vintage score work—while “QVGA,” the album’s opener, casts a bright beam into IDM’s abstract roots, where sun-bleached synths drift through warped, dusty circuits.
Building on 2024’s K, this exit from the Archaeology ambient series of earlier recordings, is a compelling continuation of Baker’s trajectory. It’s a polished return to the fine-grained, leftfield audio explorations that first defined his work—proof that he hasn’t lost his touch, only deepened it.
GFX is available on Bandcamp.
