Earthen Sea :: Recollection (Kranky)

Combining calming dub, shoegaze (shoegauze), and sinuous psychedelic/guitar inflections, Recollection delivers an emblematic return to some familiar sounds, easily pulling in fans of these genres, and others besides.

Infinitely oscillating lounge-infused timbres

Recollection by Earthen Sea (aka Jacob Long), is an excellent atmospheric dub release from Kranky that delivers well-chilled music with familiar but infectious textures and tones. “Neon Ruins,” nestled midway through, begins with darker drum loops that seems to have been treated with a filter. As the song develops, various reverberant sounds fade in and out alongside a harmonious keyboard melody. The track (and album, for that matter) run a parallel trajectory to that of artists like bvdub, port-royal, and Ulrich Schnauss—extended drones and melodious interactions weave within and just outside the margins of sonic experimentation.

Warm basslines envelop each other on Recollection, gliding up and down the scale, as gentle keyboard chords shift against one another. As with Lee “Scratch” Perry, the album is smooth and reverberant dub with interesting acoustic elements and a downtempo flow. The loop-based nature and fractured jazz mood adds a hypnotizing feel, together with its soft aspirating noises that highlight each piece.

Encompassing a wide-range of washed-out, lounge-infused timbres where bass and light percussion feel surreal, these saturated chords remind me of listening to the sounds of rainfall. A warm, round bass can be heard throughout, and in tandem with other affected yet lightly-doused percussive loops and other reverberant soundscapes. Are these drum artifacts or echoing rimshots? Nonetheless, they’re captivating and utterly relaxing. “Present Day,” which opens Recollection, is very dreamy, otherworldly, and filled with psychedelic strands of light. The bassline occasionally brings the music into order, holding its echoed sections together, as the drums drop out towards the end and the piece simply evaporates. It is astonishing to witness and be a part of Jacob Long’s magnetic aural distractions.

“Clear Photograph” begins with soothing synth swells, combining with drifting bass and filtered chords that infinitely oscillate; involving swirling effects that are barely perceptible, but clearly in front of us. The keys maintain rhythm—as does much of Recollection—with dub delays holding everything together. While providing an abundance of toe-tapping experiences, gently rocking listeners left and right, Recollection is perfect for driving slowly on a late and cloudy evening. Subtle soundscapes float by as the music ceases, and the lingering reverberant effects fade into silence.

Combining calming dub, shoegaze (shoegauze), and sinuous psychedelic/guitar inflections, Recollection delivers an emblematic return to some familiar sounds, easily pulling in fans of these genres, and others besides.

Recollection is available on Kranky. [Bandcamp]