Array / Decay is an internal mind space inside a cyber existence with hazy human elements, emotion and a lot of effervescent repetitive patterns.
This release from Ilkae—released on Inpuj, a collective of free music makers created by Proswell and Emit/Kmkrebs and now reanimated by Aaon Munson aka Ilkae—is an ambient exploration of abstract concepts and a certain repetitive pattern that involves opposite dialogues in what can be felt as a tug-of-war between two opposing energies in constant and somewhat decadently-slow progressions. A body of layers in constant movement with music as rays of light shaped for its listeners. The notes take over the work consistently with the element of random tones that once consumed elicit a sense of audible pleasure. Array / Decay is a mature experimentation and an extensive work.
It’s a transforming album with digital acoustics of mind and abstract concepts. Some tracks are painted like an impressionist painting, where multiple notes paint the picture instead of broad strokes for its melodies. Drone-based, yet not short on emotions where the human element enters a fibrous feeling of joy.
It’s all about abstract concepts with hints of self reflections and it starts with “Self Portrait 3” as if in a pondering moment we can say that nostalgia and maturity has arisen to this picture. A hint of darkness and emotion fades away. “Yellow” is an excited little pixel with reflections and frequency movements. A sense of light over a sheen surface with little sparkly drone reflection that your mind starts to visualize slowly. “Diagonals (i)” is a meditation on overlying patterns that layer on top of each together and flicker about—a sense of the deep sea is displayed on the surface as some escaping notes make it all human. The pieces moves upward getting closer to the panorama and it touches upon more questions. Like falling in love with a deep abstract feeling you do not yet understand. “Say it again” features layers of joyful excitement, a conclusion approaches, fading away as if floating and all layers start becoming one. “Gravity Plug” is a bit darker, abrupt, a quick visit to the mechanics behind the doors of this album; you get to see the machines plugging and unplugging as they pull and jump into action with an abrupt end. While enjoying this pull and push drone, the title track explains the strategy of the whole album, two opposites speaking. Either flying, or at a stand still. Almost addictive, it becomes settling as it climaxes in a succession of time and then starts again. “Diagonals (ii)” gives our mind a depiction of the image on the album cover, it’s a harmonic revisit to the first installment earlier on. Long enjoyable strands peak until you reach and fade away from it.
A highlight on this ambient dozen is “Incandescent Ring.” Imagine a ring and sound sliding back and forth on its inner surface. It’s a dream, a place where you’d like to stay, enjoying the sparkles in the darkness, a beautiful fantasy in abstract space that makes so much sense. “Health” continuous building abruptly until its choice to drop out. “Incubator” contains reverbed long notes and is quite sustained. “And Then Again” has dramatic hints of a late night walking drama—shadows and street light lamps, suspense has entered the theme. “Side Exit” is much intense like and a grand finale.
All in all it’s an internal mind space inside a cyber existence with hazy human elements, emotion and a lot of effervescent repetitive patterns. Super slow progressions, it’s a curious quest in a continuous and slow movement.
Array / Decay is available on Inpuj.
