Here we see two multi-talented musicians (Richard Bailey aka Proem, and Andrew Dobson aka Digitonal)—an ocean apart—collaborating on a seven track mini-album. The results are tranquil, warm, fuzzy, and simmering. Both artists skilled at crafting emotive electronic landscapes, they had Georgi Marinov (aka Esem) master their debut and what else would you expect? A blissful collection of downbeat IDM extractions swaying in the background which leaves a distinctive footprint.
Here we see two multi-talented musicians (Richard Bailey aka Proem, and Andrew Dobson aka Digitonal)—an ocean apart—collaborating on a seven track mini-album. The results are tranquil, warm, and simmering. Both artists skilled at crafting emotive electronic landscapes, they had Georgi Marinov (aka Esem) master their debut and what else would you expect? A blissful collection of downbeat IDM extractions swaying in the background which leaves a distinctive footprint.
Tracks like “Indigo Roctrills” exhibit a delicate slice of life, beats and bass coalesce in just the right places, wind instruments drift, and subtle glitch notes are peppered throughout. A jazz-infused slant can be found on “Lo.TesSQL [ proem.DROP Table RMX ],” its slow-motion pulse meant for 1am lounges while the fog begins to roll in. The light shines brighter on “Bopic Eyes,” perhaps the highlight of the lot, crunchy rhythms splattered all about, the humming synthesizer tones and drones create such a spark, it’s hard not to hit repeat as it evaporates and breaks apart. “Krylimuch” takes on an ambient trajectory, its Berlin dub motif easing through glitch, clicks, and fluid acrobatics—some might recall this track appearing on the 2016 behemoth benefit compilation Touched 3 (Touched Music).
The cascading beauty that surrounds this surprising collaboration is buried deep within each crevasse—”Low Tessql Wants” delivers an organic dosage of surrealism weaving through low-pressure soundscapes that fans of The Orb, FSOL, and Bola will easily consume (listen to “Krylimuch [ Digitonal Firely mix ],” as a prime example. “Thire The Dark” reminds me of Infinite Scale on the beloved and sadly defunct Toytronic imprint—its syncopated percussion and fizzing debris is drenched in audible symmetry.
And this is really where r84d excels—their sonic connections are a welcomed treat to these ears, an amalgamation of early-era IDM that hopefully will see a physical release. While its initial outing is in the digital realm, the mastering is explosively whole and very much alive start to end. Each piece is allowed to breathe, offering a fine assortment of instrumental downtempo electronics from two sound sculptors that initiated the IDM movement of the late 90s and early 00s.
(Proem + Digitonal) / Esem = IDM Bliss
So Verand Apart is available on Bandcamp.
