Michael Valentine West :: Double review (Abstrakt Reflections / Kaer’Uiks)

Characteristic of Michael Valentine West’s music, a sense of disillusion, confusion, complete obliteration, and seamlessly blending elements of experimental electronics, he holds it all together on these two EP’s, albeit with a more acoustic-organic stream of (sub)consciousness. Discrete Objects is an introduction to all things turbulent whereas Fallen Feather tends to shatter into thousands of pieces creating a surreal ebb and flow.

A visceral wall of sound, Michael Valentine West unleashes shards of electrical debris splattered about on two recent extended players—one for Argentina’s Abstrakt Reflections, the other for Germanys Kaer’Uiks. Discrete Objects reveals exposed drones and distilled beatwork—”Flutter,” for example, a droning pulse of extraterrestrial soundscapes. As MJV’s “…subtle usage of neural oscillators (alpha, beta, delta, gamma and theta waves), isochronic tones, binaural beats, harmonic counterpoint and stereo placement” ravages the soul—each of the three tracks exhibit an ethereal electronic flow that is masterfully executed. “Beta Wave” is a thorough dark ambient rumbling that one cannot escape—perhaps the strongest of the trio—is absolutely encapsulating and very much alive.

There are a few explosive drums on Fallen Feather. Just listen to “A Hammer in his Hand” as it eradicates sound space in a scorched dystopian rhythm. “Here Comes the Rain” maintains a tranquil ambient disposition, and the title track unearths the darkest mysteries of the universe, its dystopian noise sheets layered one above the other while a thin harmony breaks through the chaos. “Standard Morality Suite” drips with contemporary neo-classical finesse, and out of nowhere MJV lifts the spirit with a gorgeous soundtrack filled with darker piano keys and an expansive sonic symphony.

Characteristic of Michael Valentine West’s music, a sense of disillusion, confusion, complete obliteration, and seamlessly blending elements of experimental electronics, he holds it all together on these two EP’s, albeit with a more acoustic-organic stream of (sub)consciousness. Discrete Objects is an introduction to all things turbulent whereas Fallen Feather tends to shatter into thousands of pieces creating a surreal ebb and flow. Confounding yet mind boggling, MJV takes us to another plateau—an serene smorgasbord plastered with eerie audible passages worth repeated listening.

Discrete Objects is available on Abstrakt Reflections.
Fallen Feather is available on Kaer’Uiks.