Brutalist is an intriguing and varied collection of electronic tracks that reflect a smorgasbord of sub-genres, the most of which are readily identifiable by attentive listening.
Laden with positivity
The Brutalist album by SubtractiveLAD (aka Vancouver-based Stephen Hummel) is an intriguing and varied collection of electronic tracks that reflect a smorgasbord of sub-genres, the most of which are readily identifiable by attentive listening. The track, “Where I Found You” is a techno-industrial onslaught that kicks off with a powerful synth sequence. A strong breakbeat fades in, followed by more synth sequences and electronic percussion elements. Some nice strong key changes help to add interest. The track also sounds a lot like the work of Bill Leeb, and in particular the Delirium side project. There is a hint of goth leanings that sound melodic and hearkens to tracks to come, which are more laden with positivity.
“The Tyrant” is synth-heavy and has a pop flavor that sounds quite retro, especially the bassline. It resembles synth-wave, and partly of a lighter-toned performance by New Order, maybe from some Top Of The Pops performance. “Every Inch” is mesmerizingly trance-inducing and the arp sounds are especially hypnotic. The track becomes more and more dense while maintaining its blissful tone. It moves more towards pop and finishes seeming much like a Bernard Sumner track (from any of his projects). Such a powerful and lively-feeling album of introspective synths—reference the Boards of Canada-tinged “Marginalia,” to Autechrean blips’n bleeps (“Where You Left Me”), and instrumental drum’n synth action (“Please the Mob”).
Brutalist is a really listenable album overall. Instead of descending into monotony, it charts a course from the darker to the lighter electronica and downtempo / instrumental industrial sub-genres. I found the release to be highly enjoyable and I’m pleased to have dived in with a thorough listen.
Brutalist is available on Bandcamp.
BRUTALIST promo 4 from Stephen Hummel on Vimeo.
