SubtractiveLAD is an explorer of worlds, each track is its own individual experience, as he pilots his inner emotions through outward expression. An electronic odyssey achieved through vintage synth sounds, phasing pads, guitar and atmosphere, he brings forth this diverse assemblage of new material sure to satisfy the psyche.
Let’s say you custom built a shuttle designed to set sail through the universe. You’ve added specialized switches and reliant components to your console, all hand-selected for their purpose to perform any myriad of tasks. With these controls at your ready you embark on your boundless journey. As you engage them, they aid you along the way, from propelling you great distances through dust and darkness to allowing your vessel to hang suspended in orbit between celestial bodies.
SubtractiveLAD (aka Stephen Hummel) has done just this, having crafted his new album Within and Without. An explorer of worlds, each track is its own individual experience, as he pilots his inner emotions through outward expression. An electronic odyssey achieved through vintage synth sounds, phasing pads, guitar and atmosphere, he brings forth this diverse assemblage of new material sure to satisfy the psyche.
The title track steers itself from evolving arps toward a beautiful freefall arriving at the 5:30 mark where it delivers David Gilmour-esque guitar and pure tonal bliss. It’s a refreshing take amongst today’s common leanings of just texture alone. As are the guitars used in the following track. “No Need To Explain” is a cut that broaches Tangerine Dream territory whose welcomed influence can be heard throughout the album. There are some Vangelis friendly moments as well which can do no wrong through SubtractiveLAD’s lens.
“Infinite Things” eventually asks how high can you travel into the stratosphere and the exceptional track “Great Mistakes” is a pulsing and phaser friendly standout. subtractiveLAD is not afraid to take risks. He composes with whatever holds his interest and, in that regard, creates music that embodies an array of electronic and ambient styles, not just one. At over an hour in length Within and Without has plenty of mood and space to offer. Before you complete your re-entry however, make sure you’ve secured the hatch for when the afterburners dispatch their wide flame on a distorted horizon during the album’s closer “Burn It Down.” Don’t worry, he knows how to land this vessel.
Within and Without is available on Bandcamp.
