Who is Paula is an enigmatic electronic label dedicated to uncovering the mysterious figure of Paula through acid, braindance, and electro experiments. Its latest release, Shapeshifter by Australian producer Featherstone, continues the label’s exploration of genre fluidity with five tracks that blend precision, emotion, and forward-thinking sound design.
Featherstone shapeshifts through Paula’s mystery
There’s a certain amount of storytelling when it comes to record labels. Some create myths about their artists and music, others follow winding paths through genres and styles. Who is Paula have gone one further. This electronic imprint is unearthing the enigmatic and eponymous Paula with the equally anonymous whø? leading the audio investigations.
To date, what has been found are documents of acid, braindance and electro by musicians such as Cignol, Not Even Noticed and Zobol. The latest vinyl expression of Paula has just been released; Shapeshifter by Featherstone.
Always daring to experiment with genre limitations and style expectations, Featherstone offers five works that blur the lines between genres. The Australian opens with the future-gazing “Underpass.” Bright and intricate, crystalline chords glimmer next sheer drum patterns. The title piece reimagines a bleep melody, drenching the orbiting pings in viscous acid another satellite joins the trajectory; female samples broken and stretched to produce new layers of instrumentation.
The warped warblings of the TB303 permeate the EP, the jagged analog angles of the little silver box morphing from perilous peaks into transcendent audio vistas in “The Ascent.” A northern wind curls through the opening of “The Departure,” biting beat and squelching synth-lines thawed by aquatic notes that echo below the surface. The sound palette throughout is clean without any unnecessary decoration. This is certainly the case in the finale. “Morning Star” is an elegant reduction. Drums support an arcing astral melody, gentle shifts giving time and space for new avenues to be explored.
Shapeshifter is a superb addition to Featherstone’s burgeoning catalog. His subtle soundcraft is on display from the needle drop, as is his depth and range. Thought-provoking machine music from a musician who is gathering greater, and deserved, acclaim.
Shapeshifter is available on Who Is Paula. [Bandcamp]
