Lullaby moods, faded rhythms, sporadic percussion and warm ambient frequencies are just some of the traits featured on Miles Tilmann’s debut release with the Consumers label. His 3D Concepts album (Toytronic) and the Underland EP (Sub:Marine) brought this Ann Arbor, Michigan born musician some well needed attention. His current residence in Chicago (home of the Consumers R&D) shines the light once again on the magnetic sounds of Over And Through, a mini-LP of sorts that casually unveils simplicity to the fullest extent.
Perhaps inspired by the tantalizing melodies of the Boards of Canada, or by the sketches Tilmann uses to create his musical sculptures, Over And Through is a template of sonic bubbles and tranquilized memories. Somewhere deep in the crust of this mini-LP, Tilmann extracts both sadness and content: From the bumpy melodic outbursts of “Mimi,” to the metallic ambiences of “Hex,” you soon begin to realize the aura of simplicity tied at every intersection. “Escape From Nothing” wisps away with its syncopated beats and laser attacks on the ears until it quickly decomposes into dust. Bringing more of a lively and poignant feel to the range of tracks on this (baby-blue colored) 10″, “The Quickest Way” features analog (sounding) drums as the focal point with a downbeat groove trotting alongside looped and repetitive melodies.
From start to end, Over And Through waves a wand of hypnotizing frequencies and sharp beats that is cohesively maneuvered and well structured. Fans of Ten & Tracer, Lackluster and CiM take note; the ambiences are loosely tied to soft rhythms, and the beats cascade like marbles falling on ceramic tiles. (Recommended for night-time driving…)
Over And Through will be available June, 24th on The Consumers Research & Development Label.
