This diverse musician showcases the breadth of his sound on Guidance Release, absorbing compositions filled with textured layers and engrossing melodies. Simply super from start to finish, but what would you expect from this talented Irishman; adopted Irishman that is.
A drop in the beat count
Hearts can plunge and soar on the same wing. I experienced this first hand at a superb Furthur Electronix showcase here in Madrid. Musically, the goods supplied by Cignol, Junq and DJ Anil, was jaw dropping. The plummet happened during my conversation with Cignol.
“So where in Ireland are ya from? I only get back to the homeland one or twice a year,” my voice raised over the squelch of speakers.
“I’m no….”
“What?” I roared.
“I’m not actua…”
“I can’t hear ya man, what’s that?“
Cue the break.
“I’m not actually from Ireland…” was bellowed back to me, piercing the silence and my heart.
Such devastation can be hard to get over.
Nonsensical nationalism aside (though it is key to most politics these days), the Dublin resident was a mild mannered delight and his unique acid stained sounds have caught the attention of the faithful with releases on Computer Controlled, Furthur Electronix, and Lunar Disko. 2020 marks the British artist’s arrival at Distant Worlds with Guidance Release.
After the frenetic pace of his recent release on Winthorpe Electronics, this latest sees a drop in the beat count. The title piece is an eight minute journey. Strings sails above crisp frosted percussion before a mellow flowing acid line dawns. In part this beautifully reduced work of skilfully chosen elements, yet these elements come together so perfectly that it broadens beyond the mere sum of its part. Truly superb. “Galactic Neighbourhood” combines trademark 303 noodling with warm keys. The entire piece trills with an avian lightness, one that is washed in shimmering highs. A cool breeze opens the flight. The sounds have turned nocturnal as a slicing beat and thick pads introduce “Near Earth Objects.” Serenely sweet notes arc above percussive layers in this dreamy work, generous breaks allowing acid swells to rise. The seven minute plus journey of “Modularity” finishes the EP. Keys flow over gentle hi-hats before a beat takes hold. Liquefied lines judder and squirm in this detailed, deep and immersive finale.
It’s hard to think that Cignol has been producing music for more than a decade and there is a sense that recognition is now coming, and rightly so. This diverse musician showcases the breadth of his sound on Guidance Release, absorbing compositions filled with textured layers and engrossing melodies. Simply super from start to finish, but what would you expect from this talented Irishman; adopted Irishman that is.
Guidance Release is available on Distant Worlds.
