Organic melts with precision electronics, and though its lighthearted shell is ever-apparent, the production is flawless for summertime listening.
[Listen | Purchase] An innocent, aged electronic mood is set from the start with the latest album by Oakland-based Saul Stokes; the album title/cover-art depicts its relaxed nature and audio fluctuation prior to its rotation. The tranquil (yet complex) sounds that emerge hails the likes of Plone and (older) David Kristian comparisons as the album begins to unveil its delicately organized transmissions. Organic melts with precision electronics, and though its lighthearted shell is ever-apparent, the production is flawless for summertime listening.
Radiating melodies take over most of Sleek Nucleus, however, the balance between experimental and rhythmic is carefully detailed with layers of subtle tones, flicks, tweaks and bleeps. Bass lines, usually transparent in IDM these days, is prevalent throughout this snapshot view from Saul Stokes’ musical plateau. “Pocket Universe” is an interesting switch of the knobs; this piece triggers a 4/4 bass-beat and synthetic washes that would smolder any dance floor. Elsewhere, ambient breezes of trip-hop (“Spun Into Static,” “We.Are.Signals” are prime illustrations) sway in the most unusually attractive tide. Saul Stokes’ impressive back-catalog speaks volumes in the span of almost 2-decades, and just as Sleek Nucleus unravels its mysterious electric code, time floats as if temporarily standing still. Elements of mid-80’s synth abstractions (ie. “Trace The Edge”) are married to current-era audio mechanics; a mixture of delicate analog-to-digital symphonies is the resultant. Levels of particulate matter drift in unobtrusive angles and at the nucleus of each track is a sheet of softened frequencies that peel open from the edges.
Painting a visual to describe these sonic formations is always a challenge, but what is consistent on Sleek Nucleus is that the entire canvas overflows with polished Stokes-styled-strokes that are both vivid and often ear-catching. With the fabric of each track crafted from Stokes’ hand-made electronic instruments, it’s no wonder their is a unique valley of sound to discover with each pass.
Sleek Nucleus is out now and is self-released. [Listen | Purchase]
