Organic and synthetic beautifully collide and assemble a highly emotive, colorful and atmospheric affair. Walker has managed to translate deep emotional landscapes into eleven attractive and addictive tracks that shine with creativity and musical integrity.
A distinctive sound, a unique charm and emotional openness, are rare qualities in the vast territories of electronic music these days. Already during my first listening session with Ivory Tower Broadcast, after the first couple of minutes in its finely woven spacious architecture, I started to suspect I came across a rare gem, a truly original and soulful album within sonic territories flooded with recycled outputs. The music became deeper and wider with every minute, quickly it took hold of me, I pleasurably spiraled into the eccentric unknown, my suspicion was confirmed.
With Ivory Tower Broadcast Berlin-based American producer Stewart Walker, known for his techno-infused IDM-ish concoctions, peculiarly explores the far-flung realms of downtempo electronica. He uses the electric guitar, electric bass, and more exotic instruments like German zither and Japanese koto, with judicious crafty electronic intensification, to generate warmth and increase depth. Assertive, dynamic crisp beat constructions often lead the way, at times with pulsing techno-ish electricity; raw basslines vibrate with groove and drive, holding a post-punk glow; other string-generated fragments sparkle, and synthesized extraterrestrial dreamy currents undulate and twist hypnotically, occasionally with delicate shoegaze scents. Organic and synthetic beautifully collide and assemble a highly emotive, colorful and atmospheric affair.
Walker has managed to translate deep emotional landscapes into eleven attractive and addictive tracks that shine with creativity and musical integrity. This music feels natural, it feels sincere, and is completely free of current fads. It reveals more subtleties with repeat listens, and is quite accessible in spite of its intricate and hazy nature. Ivory Tower Broadcast is without a doubt one of the most convincing and individual sounding electronic albums that I have heard in the last few years. It was released via Switzerland’s Mundo Recordings, a new subdivision of the successful Two Gentlemen label.
Ivory Tower Broadcast is out via Mundo and available on Two Gentlemen.
