With such a beautiful collection of IDM escapades and overflowing emotional powers, Faex Optim unearths crystalized musical realms.
Crisp and saccharine melodic fibers
Wesley MacDonald (aka Faex Optim) has fine tuned gauzy electronic fluctuations for years, and his latest for Werra Foxma is yet another example of the Edinburgh-based musicians’ adeptness to allow subtle changes to occur. Perhaps a new sonic chapter for the multi-talented sound sculptor, Crystal Pleasures feels less BoC infused and more abstract in its trajectory; all the while maintaining a knack for crisp and saccharine melodic fibers.
From the emotive piano and shuffling braindance of opener “Wester Hailes (feat. Cholly),” to the synth blips and downtempo harmonies of “Night Terrors,” Faex Optim brings the audio goods full force. On the ethereal / dreamlike messages of “Night Terrors Part 2,” there’s even more on offer here. Parallels with Clark and Ital Tek can be found on the technoid crunchy grooves of “Came In Screaming,” and while the Kettel-contoured blips and bursting bleeps of “Great Balloons” and “Wash & Play” float away.
With such a beautiful collection of IDM escapades and overflowing emotional powers (listen to closer “Candescence”), Faex Optim unearths crystalized musical realms.
All tracks written, arranged and produced by Wesley MacDonald
Mastering by Antony at RedRedPaw
Design by Stephen Osborne
With special thanks to Cholly and Brady Lasserre
Crystal Pleasures is available on Werra Foxma. [Bandcamp]
