A constant rush and eventual breakdown of electronics keeps this album in a state of constant motion is it plays with the subconscious in terms of intensified volume changes and tranquilized rhythm shifting.
[Release page] Frog Pocket (aka John Wilson) has been producing for just over a decade now and I recall the Mouthmoth imprint as a sort of DIY electronic outfit—based in Scotland—that basically defined itself as the explosion of bedroom musicians really started to take shape. Labels like Toshoklabs, Kracfive and Mad Monkey had similar intents, bridging the void between established electronic music imprints and forging their own independent vehicles for music.
Frog Pocket has had various successes throughout the past decade with music appearing on Benbecula, Planet Mu, Afe and his own start-up—which appears to have had a nine-year release hiatus. All that aside, Frog Pocket continues to explore a range of styles with Frog And The Volcano! representing his most ambitious effort to date.
Delving further into volcanic ashes of shoegaze, Frog Pocket stores an abundance of emotion-filled acoustic electronics and a build-up of sonic textures and noise to fill the eardrums to no end. Elements of classical construction and the grittier side of post-rock are emitted in the form of a collision between the likes of Digitonal, Ochre and even Ben Frost. If this just doesn’t seem to be possible, have a listen to the lava flows of the opening “Bholcán” and the sugary interruptions of “Crow Hill Jig.” “Prog Focket” extracts a radiant melody burst and classical sheen just as the10-minute title track transcends time and space; this epic entity delivers a brilliant build-up of intense beatwork, sincere emotive viscosity and eventually implodes with high rev-rates and a push-pull effect of chaos, calm and cohesion. This is where Frog And The Volcano! flourishes—a constant rush and eventual breakdown of electronics keeps this album in a state of constant motion is it plays with the subconscious in terms of intensified volume changes and tranquilized rhythm shifting. Keeping the brain active from start to end,Frog And The Volcano! is a welcomed return to form for the Scottish imprint which will hopefully continue to nurture their release schedule.
Frog And The Volcano! is available on Mouthmoth. [Release page]
