Weldroid’s soothing and benchmark soundscapes on Portal are as relaxed as can be; a welcomed retreat we were not expecting.
A much calmer aesthetic of relaxed compositions
It almost seems like Weldroid (aka Tamás Zsiros) had already appeared on Rednetic, or perhaps he has found familiar friends to deliver Portal—a dozen tracks available on CD and digital as of this week. Rather than compare and contrast Weldroid’s body of work (we’ve covered a few releases), Portal transitions into a much calmer aesthetic of relaxed compositions—”Pianobook ” opens with subtle keystrokes to ease the listener in.
We’re eventually elevated as Portal ascends through downtempo electronica. The title track, perhaps the highlight of evolved melodic excursions, is utter bliss, and yet “Bandlength” meanders through synthesizer realms that are at once familiar and far-reaching. Could it be a homage to Eon and Sandison? These tranquilized fizz-fuzz beats and pitter-patter rhythms dissolve out of nowhere and capture our attention. Nostalgic and poignant, Zsiros hones in on calming electronic extractions that embark on the early stages of IDM where artists like Arovane, Plod, and Plone crafted minuscule melodic sound shapes fluttering in the wind—”Sandal Warrior” is a great example.
Midway through Portal and Weldroid drives the message even further with instrumental fluctuations that are both serene and uplifting—the bumpier drums of “Soarer” capture this dynamic perfectly. Drafting these ambient electronic gems and cascading tones, there are soundtrack moments that should be mentioned, especially as evidenced on the beautifully orchestrated “Sea.” Weldroid’s soothing and benchmark soundscapes on Portal are as relaxed as can be; a welcomed retreat we were not expecting.
Portal is available on Rednetic. [Bandcamp]
