There’s some real brilliance on the Melbourne producer’s debut album when it’s excels in the Sigur Ros style of patiently building spacious sonic atmospheres and moody eurphoria, illustrated best in “Now I Hear Noise.” It sounds like the soundtrack to a documentary about heaven or a spaceship trip to that place. There won’t be any hit singles from the album but that isn’t it’s purpose it more belongs as an inspiration for music students or a tool in helping a stressed soul reach a temporary relaxation.

 

The closest thing to a single is “Hear Me Out”, which starts off as a steady distorted electronica but surprises us with a jazz solo to throw our style radar off the charts. “Saudade” has an Asian undertone, “In Time” is a modern downtempo number with vocalist Rosebud Leach showcasing potential to be the new Banks or Indiana. Then, “Cat skill Mountain Resort” is effective self-hypnosis. 

 

The album falls short when a rap ruins the intriguing piano piece in “Jol” and when “Fear” is uncomfortable, flat and contains an irritating voice. It’s also when the balance of creative simplicity is stretched so far into a “less is more” attitude” it becomes dull, boring, uneventful and empty that it pushes our patience (Shook) and (Wandering). Still, there’s more positives on an album that should be respected for its bravery and commitment to it’s vision. MTH