Blume, Blackout Orchestra, and Andrew Judah
Blume
Synthetic Sounds For The Modern Soul // Self Released
Let’s be honest – ambient music isn’t for everybody. Most of us enjoy our tasty jams while we’re either commuting or socializing. Imagine you’re at a party and some guy starts playing Geogaddi.
Ambient music lacks the structure and rhythm that’s abundant in other genres and this can turn some people off. It’s like mechanical jazz, and I can understand why others would prefer something a little more streamlined.
With that in mind it can be very difficult as an artist to utilize abstract tones in an easily accessible way, while as a listener it can be just as difficult to find an album – or even a song – that’s digestible for the casual listener.
Luckily for us we now have Synthetic Sounds For The Modern Soul, the debut album from Edmonton based artist Arthur Bennell, under the moniker Blume.
Blume’s sound is distinctive through its use of synths, drum machines, and guitars to create a hazy, psychedelic profile that takes inspiration from ambient music and subgenres of pop. A lot of Synthetic Sounds For The Modern Soul features the soft, entrancing vocals of Bennell, which further accentuate the album's dream-like atmosphere.
As opposed to other ambient artists who invent desolate and agoraphobic soundscapes, Blume flips this cliché and instead produces powerful yet comforting sounds that invoke the holy awe of approaching the pearly gates of heaven.
Synthetic Sounds For The Modern Soul features tracks that vary between the abstract tones of tracks like “Prelude” and “New Connections”, and the dream-pop sound of its two singles, “Making Me Feel”, and “In Heaven”. Many songs on the album have the structure and rhythm that lacks in other ambient works, making it for a much easier listen.
Religion is a common theme throughout the album, heard best in its second half. These Christianity laden lyrics compliment the synths church organ-like tones in a way that gives the album a timeless feeling. This sound is brought full force in the album's finale, the 13 minute “Oh Lord”.
Synthetic Sounds For The Modern Soul is a nice album for those exploring ambient music, and those who already like it will appreciate the album for its light hearted tone and the positive experience it brings. It gives you as much as you want depending on how hard you want to listen. As an ambient fan myself, this might just be one of my favourite albums in a long time, and you’ll be doing your ears a disservice if you don’t check it out yourself.
- Brandon Kruze
Blackout Orchestra
I Will Want You When We Are Ghosts // Self Released
I received a special package of vinyl, and merch in the new year. Tucked in this gift were many special gems. One that really struck a chord with me is Toronto’s Blackout Orchestra. I was originally drawn in by the cover art. Simple yet powerful photography of a city or town. On the back a sunset, and a water tower off in the distance. There’s a water tower in town not far from where I am. A welcome sight.
Blackout Orchestra is the creative vision of Ben VanBuskirk who has written, performed, and produced all their own works with a few backing vocals here and there. Mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering. This latest release is tilted: I Will Want You When We Are Ghosts (released on March 5th, 2021).
Over the course of 2020 VanBuskirk had released many singles, and EP’s. I encourage you to check them out too. I’m quite impressed by some artists/bands who put out so many releases during the pandemic. In lieu of shows they still find ways to express themselves and work on their crafts. Some of the greatest writings and music have come from a place of pain or discomfort. A tough transition or growth. Or from a quiet deep reflection. This latest album touches on these themes. A way to process these transitions. Transform one’s self, and move through it all. VanBuskirk speaks of challenges around mental health, and now how they were conquered through music. To release one's feelings in a healthy way. To channel that energy, anxiousness, sadness, and turn it into art. That is an extraordinary feat, and certainly an inspiration.
Blackout Orchestra, I would describe as Post Alternative/Industrial/Art Pop. VanBuskirk is multi-talented, and you’ll hear it throughout all his works. I Will Want You When We Are Ghosts is like the tide… the ebb and flow, growth and glow. The album seems to have a gradual build up, a peak, a crash, then recedes. I had the pleasure of hearing it on vinyl. So side A seemed to be more of the processing of the dark parts, and shadows. Side B the transformation. That’s how I interpreted it.
“Stargazing” is beautiful, and contemplative through the acoustic guitar, pleasant harmonies or layers. Seems to have a feeling of contentment in the moment. Imagination, wonder yet longing. It’s funny I said I’d never move to a small town but I did. Now I’d be happier even further in the country. Or maybe I need to learn to be content where my feet are currently planted and forget society’s idea that you should always be busy running around and achieving something. Sometimes you need some time of dormancy to process things, and to release them. But we have the chance to escape every night in our dreams or even when we just look up at the stars or the northern lights.
“A Thousand Times” is a peppy, upbeat number, with a catchy drum machine beat, some acoustic strumming, and electro funtime! Lyrically it sounds it might be about a few bad dates. I love the little bit of female vocals in this one. Compliments VanBuskirk very nicely!
“Wanderlust” is the kind of song you may want to start the day with or the one where sail off to better destinations. Whatever floats your boat! It does offer a bright piano, and a hopeful “Hey! Hey!”. I’m sailing on now. Time to go forth, and conquer new lands. It also feels like a nice way to say goodbye to the long dark night of the soul, and make way for the light. Spring flowers, and cleansing showers. Wash away the snow mould, and let nature do its thing. (I’m wearing my sneakers now but not putting away the winter boots just yet.)
I also want to mention the @blackoutorchestra Instagram page. There were some very clever, and cheeky promos for I Will Want You When We Are Ghosts. It clearly defines Art Pop, and I got a kick of it. The shock value or sarcasm I thought sends a clear message but it is also in good humour.
I really hope you take a moment to spin this album in any medium. Sounded just as great on BandCamp as it does on Vinyl. Ride the tide and enjoy the waves of emotion that is Blackout Orchestra!
Love Always,
Green Noreen
Andrew Judah
Dry Kiss // Sounds Suspicious
Strong and confident all around musicality from a prolific and gifted artist. Deep breathing circular tenderness on this record. Great attention to sonic details, arrangements, dynamics and tones. Something made with intention by someone who really knows what they're doing. Someone who trusts their own process.
The production is kind of staggering. This record sounds perfect. Like use this as a reference for how records should sound perfect. I suggest a first listen in good headphones. Probably what struck me initially and made me want to review this record was its production. Everything is balanced and clear and crisp.
You get a real clarity of vision and purpose with these overly talented do-it-all-yourself multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer types. On this record Judah crafts a timeless sound. Entirely pop, but ranging from 60s Beach Boys to frenetic and lush Radiohead in style. All songs were written, performed, recorded, engineered, arranged & mixed by himself during the pandemic.
It’s nice to know that someone used their time productively during this lockdown reality freeze. 12 tracks and no filler. Each song takes a sound and builds on it organically. Standout track for me would have to be "Cataracts" with its slinky bassline and soaring vocal melody. A steady groove slips in underneath and chugs the track along to the big sing finale. Noteworthy second would be “Bubble Burst”. The panning on that drum programming coupled with the driving bassline really scratches that itch.
Judah performs a wide range of styles in various projects. Bandcamp tags include alternative, progressive rock, ambient, baroque pop, folk, singer songwriter, psychedelic, indie rock. Mix those all together and make it floaty and sweeping, with a little vamp in your camp and a smirk in your sigh. Seems like every day is a beautiful day to listen to Dry Kiss.
- Joel Klaverkamp
