Composed of hand-crafted instruments that coalesce with software techniques, there’s a calm that surfaces on these elegant electrical entities that can’t be ignored.
[Release page] Oakland-based Saul Stokes continues to develop his unique display of synth-infused delicacies with Formation, a quadruplet of sonic pulses that meander peacefully. As Sleek Nucleus (Stokesmusic, 2011) displayed an ever-apparent organic melts with precision electronics dynamic, Formation progresses in a parallel direction, albeit even more tranquilized than before. Looping adjacent steps brought forth in early Morr Music releases, there’s an easy-going synth trail where light flickering tones and crisp melodic shuffling keepsthis EP on a trajectory that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Each of the four pieces flow gracefully into chilled waters as the electronic ripples cascade further into Plone-styled pop.
“Ancient Sagas” skips in slow-motion as a warm buzz of analogous sheets expand into the horizon. An ambient aura follows the shadows of “Lowlands” as an eventual cleansed landscape of electronic jazz takes shape—chill-out might be its nearest genre spec. “Sonant Escape” is a more playful tune of subdued melodic bleeps and sparkling Solvent-sounding plundering. Closing in nostalgic fields of electrical dust and pleasant analog fidgeting, “Turn Of Phase” is a synopsis of its preceding siblings—brisk dial tones brush-up against piano chords, microscopic melodies and polystyrene harmonies. Composed of hand-crafted instruments that coalesce with software techniques, there’s a calm that surfaces on these elegant electrical entities that can’t be ignored. Perhaps best described as a step back into times gone by as civilization reminisces about good days and keeping life as simple as it can possibly be.
Foundation is available on Stokesmusic. [Release page]
