Having released the outstanding and critically acclaimed EVS series of 9 7 inch singles, Expanding Records close the series with a compilation album of tracks from across the series, adding a few new tracks and remixes for good measure. Each single in the original series was packaged in a colour-coded sleeve and pressed on heavy coloured vinyl, each bearing the same simple yet stylish sleeve design that is carried through to the compilation.
Bearing the consistent traits of melody and understated beauty, each of the tracks included on The Condition of Musak illustrates different takes on these themes along with some gentle beats to highlight Expanding’s ear for quality melodic electronic music. Opening with a new track from Benge entitled “Logans Walk”, label owner Ben Edwards introduces the theme for the rest of the compilation. “Logans Walk” is gently pleasing to the ear, introducing slightly abrasive yet low-key beats and later adding warmer fuller beats whilst maintaining the sweeping underlying melodic flow. Followed by the equally impressive “Links Oben” and “Avro” by Abfahrt Hinwil and Stendec respectively, The Condition of Musak opens with 3 tracks from 3 of the strongest singles in the EVS series, following them with a new track from Vessel. A newcomer on the electronic music scene, Vessel produces a track that contains both atmospheric melody and tense bass. Quickly following Vessel is a track taken from another of the noteworthy singles of the series in the form of Benge’s “Baud”, a great track opting for cinematic atmosphere alongside soundtrack-like keyboards over moody beats. So it continues, track after track of melodic electronic music – Antoni Frankowski, Fibla, Zorn, Volume, Tennis and David Mooney – all from the same series of 9 7″ singles, each representing different facets of melody over rhythm, each keeping a careful eye on quality.
In addition to an excellent compilation of tracks previously only available on vinyl are 2 new remixes. Zorn remixes Benge’s wonderful “Baud”, a track that already appears in it’s original form earlier on the compilation. Adding a dash of abstraction and rhythmic beats, Zorn brings a sense of fast moving desperation to the track while at the same time maintaining the soundtrack-like atmosphere of the original. The other new remix is Jan Jellinek’s “Pet Sounds Mix” of Tennis’ “Duckshelf”, already one of the series’ more abstract tracks with it’s scratchy percussion and irregular keyboard loops. Jellinek’s remix takes the original and reinterprets it, adding hazy static and a sort of saxaphonic buzz under a deep plodding bassline that builds to add discrete beats and a looped symphonic accompaniment as it progresses. An altogether gentler and more relaxed approach than the abstract irregularity of the original.
The Condition of Musak is a consistently high quality compilation providing an accurate and well-compiled overview of the EVS series of singles. An excellent album that will see newcomers searching for the full set of 9 original singles. Expect a new album from Benge and debut albums from Stendec and Vessel on Expanding later this year.
The Condition of Musak is out now on Expanding Records.
