Will Andyhazy’s double review for Charm Days’ ambient organic electronica album Shelter and Glamaticus’ twinkling bells and subtle chimes of Dream Room — both released on Sun Sea Sky Productions.
Charm Days :: Shelter (Sun Sea Sky)
Sometimes regarded as chillstep or chill music online, Shelter by Charm Days (aka Doug Kaufman) is sure to garner additional attention from the genre’s fan base as well as anyone interested in peaceful downtempo or ambient organic electronica.
Diving right in, the production is clean and finds Charm Days having honed his abilities from previous releases. This is especially noticeable on the album’s first two tracks “Shelter” and “Pieces” where the vibraphone and bells are round and resonant, occupying their own space amidst well executed percussion, all of which lands pleasantly on the ear. Upon listening further, it’s so easy to fall in love with the varying instrument swells, not used as just an effect but rather as a meaningful part of the composition. They equally contribute to the dreamlike attributes of the album.
When the vocals on “Pieces” are introduced, their presence is made known throughout the stereo field and are a warm welcomed addition. In fact, the vocal samples throughout the totality of Shelter, courtesy of Laura Kaufman, Pat Strickland, Lucy Strickland, and a “few random people Doug met while trekking in Nepal” are all quite enjoyable.
“Springtime Shirt” is a beautiful shimmering music box of feel good memories. While perhaps not immediately regarded as hauntological music, it can certainly be argued that Charm Days brushes the concept considering his interwoven use of found sound that includes children talking, birds chirping, what sounds like people playing ping-pong and a child saying, “I’m so happy like”. The feeling it evokes is akin to those brought about by Boards of Canada. To that end, ‘Shelter’ often feels like a harmonious blend of similar artists, most notably Bonobo and Tycho. In this respect, Charm Days employs a bag of well-selected world percussion elements, dialed in kicks and claps, as well as a familiar vintage synth that hits the sweet spot (check out the track “Sugarwoods” at 0:58). The overall sound of ‘Shelter’ however is greater than the sum of its parts and by no means a mere replication of its predecessors.
Glamaticus :: Dream Room (Sun Sea Sky)
The upcoming release Dream Room by Glamaticus (aka Derrick Shadrack) feels just like that, an audial sunroom for the mind in which the listener can paint freely. Never pushing the audience into any pre-conceived agenda, his work is both reflective and patient. This is largely in part a result of the implementation of twinkling bells and subtle chimes throughout the tracks, which come and go like rays of light touching a wall’s surface. When paired with bubbly synth plucks and harps, as evidenced at the end of the second track “Heliacal Rising,” it lends itself a magical quality. This is also characteristic of Glamaticus’ use of strings, which serve as emotional touchpoints on tracks like “Arcady,” naturally peering through the mix.
Given the style of instrumentation used, it becomes clearer to hear the tinges influences of world music throughout the body of work. Eastern based flutes and stringed instruments make integral appearances while the beds of the tracks harken to more traditional ambient soundscapes. Admittedly though, there are moments on the album that leave the listener questioning whether the tracks are borderline spa/lounge music or even some combination of the two with a hint of occasional vaporwave thrown in for good measure. Specifically “Phantasmagoric Allure” brings this to mind with the prominence of what sounds like a midi-based saxophone. While the numerous instruments are decently balanced in relation to each other, similar acoustic emulated elements throughout the album only do a disservice to Glamaticus’ otherwise quality lead lines, soft background pads and thoughtful arpeggiator interplay.
“Samadhi” features a great chopped vocal or synth choir stabs that come in around the 3:00 mark and the album’s closer “Tree of Dreams” offers up a unique and revitalizing synth to end on a higher note. In its entirety, Dream Room is a kind record and a cohesive first full length from Glamaticus by way of Sun Sea Sky Productions.
