Micro Life Span contains a myriad of tranquilized exp-electronic decay, some delivered in more upbeat transmissions, while others into infinite leftfield variations. IDM, breaks, electro, abstract and entangled noise—JFrank manipulates these genres with finesse and control.
Julian Frank (aka JFrank) isn’t new to the scene, he’s been audio sculpting since 1998, happens to run Brainstormlab, and continues to cultivate surreal electronic soundscapes. With Micro Life Span, we see three new tracks and three remixes from Mtch, Xzicd, and Valance Drakes.
What a slab of aggetated sounds we have here—starting with familiar Phoenician landscaping on “Ikigai” (Japanese for reason of being)—it begs the question (and/or answer) with electroacoustic percussive jolts, funky downbeat acid undertones, and a bass thump to keep the mood moving forward. The Xzicd remix of “Ikigai” delivers similar shades, but expands on the acidic, washed-out audio scribbling, and runs through deformed electro paths. “Hikikomori” (Japanese for adults who withdraw from social life) dips into minuscule bits and bytes interspersed with bass and bobs. A delicate yet skewed electronic stream of subconsciousness maneuvers into and out of focus as Valance Drakes filters the entire work into bitesize, slow-motion fragments. The emotive vehicle “Hikikomori” offers is expounded upon with Drakes’ unique ability to take each element to its furthest possible point. “Karoshi” (Japanese for overwork death) manages to unearth Subotnick-like architecture—its focus on disjointed yet polished melodic bubbles squish their way through encrusted percussion. Mtch’s version of “Karoshi” is utter minimized digital distraction—its textural beatwork rummages through lost parallel-universes of its own making.
In all, Micro Life Span contains a myriad of tranquilized exp-electronic decay, some delivered in more upbeat transmissions, while others into infinite leftfield variations. IDM, breaks, electro, abstract and entangled noise—JFrank manipulates these genres with finesse and control.
Micro Life Span is available on Kaer’Uiks.
