Search the Community

Imaginings and Fabrications is the latest offering from Australia's Felix Greenlees aka Terrafractyl. Having risen to prominence as surely now Australia's most popular local psytrance producer over the past 5 years, playing main stage at every big party in our country, this album comes from his own label Kinematic Records. Previous reviews can be found at: A Speck of Dust (2013 EP) Electronic Evolution (2012 LP) Chrysalis (2009 debut LP) BUY IT AT - https://kinematicrecords.bandcamp.com/album/imaginings-and-fabrications (Only 8 euros!) His debut LP 'Chrysalis' shone with it's unique, jazz-influenced melodic style; very much in the morning psy mould. The subsequent two releases kept up the trademark bubbly melodies but explored ever-so-slightly darker territory, more atmospheric and brooding whilst still being built on his very identifiable take on melodic psytrance. Imaginings and Fabrications seems to bring the two together, and after a few listens I think it could be his best work yet. Felix's classical music background is clear throughout his work, but in this album he brings it to the fore in a very unique way. As the label states: "This album is split into two halves. The first, 'Ancient Imaginings' aka 'Psymphony no.1 in F minor' takes much of its material and inspiration from the musical past and previous musical knowledge. This is a subject close to Felix's heart and to some extent this music represents the classical music that he decided not to write. The remainder of the Album 'Fabricated Futures', is more of a fictional attempt to describe some possible future that may lay ahead for mankind." 'Major Malfunction' opens up very much in the style of his more recent work. A more prominent bassline than my favorite Terrafractyl tracks, but the trademark melodies soon appear to kick the album off. The track takes an almost melancholic turn, different to much of his work, with a strung out vocal sample the most prominent new sound. Soon the piano is back and things feel somewhat back to normal. This track is fine but not a stand out. 'Dimension 35c' is next, based hugely on a sample from the crazy, frankly random cartoon "Rick and Morty". If you're not big on heavy sample use this track won't be for you, but if you can dig it then what you get is a big party track and plenty of chuckles throughout. I've seen this do a lot of damage on the dancefloor. 'Fractured Realities' is classic Terrafractyl. The bassline sticks out early on (and maybe slightly too much overall) but as the track goes on you get a well-used sample, the perfect mix of squelchy synth goodness and classical-inspired melodies all culminating in the trademark Terrafractyl sound. The right mix of unique melodic journey and thoughtful psychedelic detail unfolds over 6 minutes. And here's where it gets interesting... The next 4 tracks total 24 minutes of psytrance moulded in classical music style. Cumulatively entitled 'Psymphony no.1 in F minor' these tracks mix modern psy goodness with a style of music typically heard in concert halls around the globe. (Even that description only feels half accurate.) The first track '1. Allegro con Fuoco' sums it up. The classical, almost symphonic sound of pianoes and violins in beautiful harmony makes way halfway to a more subtle psytrance bassline. It unfolds in truly unique style, with the range of sounds coming together for the last 2+ minutes to complete things. My favorite is the third part 'Allegro Tranquillo', the best mix of both worlds combining for a proper journey. It's psytrance, but only just. The final three tracks see us return to dancefloor mode. The sharper detail in production apparent in his more recent recent releases combine with more melodic detail at the fore, a bit closer in style to his first LP. 'The Machinery of Nature' is the typical Terrafractyl dancefloor number and maybe the best track on the album, just the right mix of stomping fun and thoughtfulness through detail. This is the sound of so many epic dancefloor sessions I've experienced. 'Transdimensional Funk Trunk' follows suit with slightly more ooomph behind a spiralling piano sequence and brief journey down the rabbit hole. 'Beauty through Circuitry' rounds the album out in a style reminiscent of the 'Electronic Evolution' LP but with added detail. I hear an almost Hallucinogen-ish influence in some of the background noises here early on. As for criticism? I wouldn't disagree with anyone arguing the basslines have not evolved enough over time. He's found a sound he like and stuck to it, whereas I wouldn't mind more experimentation in this area. And whilst I'm happy the melodies again take precedence overall, the basslines do stick out a little too much on occasion. But on the whole he's got the mix closer to perfect this time. I can't think of much (if any) other psy this melodic that isn't goa. But apart from that it's hard to fault. If you love melody and squelchy synth sounds then this is an album for you. Above all else Terrafractyl continues to define his own unique sound. There are artists you may categorise similarly, but no one sounds quite like him (unless you count a few acts on his label following in his footsteps, like Spacey Koala and Neurorythmic). In a world with far too much generic music at this tempo, this is something that should very much be celebrated. Buy this album, you simply can't go wrong for 8 euros to download.

Hello all, Looking for piano compositions like this one : TIA

https://submoonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oriental-accidentalists

Hello . https://submoonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/karmagggedon-ep

I've been listening to a lot of music that electronically processes classical or minimalist classical music lately. Stuff like Nils frahm, Abandoned Toys, Julia Kent, Samantha Bouquin, Artesia, Lisa Gerrard, etc. Anyone have any good contemporary classical to suggest that uses electronics in it?

Recommendations please. I find classical music very soothing while reading. I havent heard a lot of it , am open to anything. just listened to this http://www.last.fm/music/Zino+Francescatti+(violin),+Pierre+Fournier+(cello),+Columbia+Symphony+Orchestra.+Bruno+Walter,+conductor?utm_source=last.fm&utm_medium=application&utm_campaign=last.fm_desktop_application&utm_content=2.1.36&utm_term=WIN