Holotrope could very well be one of Bluetech’s most accessible albums to date. Variety in tempo, rhythm, and melodic sequences keep one engaged from start to finish. One may discover that with each listen you will find more layers and little modular artifacts buried within the mixes. Just when you think you know what to expect from Bluetech, he is able to push forward and bring something completely fresh to the table.
In the last year alone, Evan Bartholomew (aka Bluetech) has been quite prolific, releasing over four albums worth of new material. The latest of which is a full length on his own Behind the Sky label. Imagined as a psychonaut’s journey to space and back, Holotrope is presented as A Movement Towards Wholeness in 4 Parts. Designed to perfectly fill four sides of vinyl, this double LP is intended to be played in movements—Descending, Expanding, Ascending & Integrating. The album is inspired by Holotropic breath work, meditation, and lucid dreaming and certainly has a psychedelic edge to it. With Holotrope Evan integrates a focused approach on evolving sonic structures via analog synthesis utilizing a similar palette of sounds as Sci-Fi Lullabies (released in July, also on Behind The Sky Music).
The first movement, Descending, begins with “Stone, River & Shadow” and features signature bouncing sub bass lines reminiscent of Phoenix Rising (2008, Somnia Sound). “Afterimage Flare” rides a funky bossa synth loop with playfully juxtaposed percussive elements. The next movement, Expanding, places emphasis on slower, dubbed out space-hop especially on the song “Seeing With the I.” Ascending, the third movement, Bluetech shifts to an infectious house pulse with the track “Spectral Currents.” The final movement, Integrating, relies more on swirling atmospheres and gentle arpeggio’s evident on “Dissolution by Proxy”. All four movements have distinctive qualities and are woven together to form a cohesive and rewarding experience for the listener.
Holotrope could very well be one of Bluetech’s most accessible albums to date. Variety in tempo, rhythm, and melodic sequences keep one engaged from start to finish. One may discover that with each listen you will find more layers and little modular artifacts buried within the mixes. Just when you think you know what to expect from Bluetech, he is able to push forward and bring something completely fresh to the table. Highlights include “Afterimage Flare” and “Seeing with the I.”
Holotrope is available on Behind The Sky Music.
