Balaklavskiy prospex generates just as much energy as the nearest supernova remnants, and is perhaps best suited as the backdrop to these spectacular events.
Roel Funcken, probably the most prolific musician of abstract electronic music this side of the galaxy, continues his foray into mind-altering sonic extractions. Balaklavskiy prospex bends and twists its way through those familiar, glitchy tentacles of dust and debris that one can instantly relate to the Roel Funcken signature.
The title track, swaying back and forth between abandoned drones and dribbling synth notes, scatters all about in a fluid maze. Known for sporadic rhythm bursts, Roel continues in the Funckarma bass-heavy dynamic. Broken beats are tossed into the atmosphere, only to fall gracefully in form and function—have a listen to “Drogan” as a prime example. Elsewhere one can find more industrial fragments as evidenced on “Fermi Paradox” (a collaboration with Initvoice), where visceral bleeps and sharper beats ricochet and dissolve into a colorful stew.
The myriad of electrical detailing surrounding Balaklavskiy prospex is perplexing—layers upon layers of low-flying, lo-end basslines gravitate around pristine melodic pulsars (ref. “Other form of Matter”). Brittle harmonic bubbles implode on “Neon Malfoid” (with Valence Drakes), a short-running windswept audio photo that rummages through a percussive slurry. At times quaint and transportive throughout, “Drakes Equator” simmers and slithers about with its own downbeat, low-flying rumble.
In all, Balaklavskiy prospex generates just as much energy as the nearest supernova remnants, and is perhaps best suited as the backdrop to these spectacular events. Roel’s focus on timeless sound and visual artifacts are well-represented here—a fragrant, relevant, and elevated electronic music mass.
Balaklavskiy prospex is available on Bandcamp.