Label: Home Assembly Music – HAM009 Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album Country: UK Released: 24 Feb 2014 Genre: Electronic Style: Minimal, Experimental, Minimal Techno, Abstract
Inexplicably overlooked ambient-leaning minimal dub-techno masterstroke from Ex-Hood / The Remote Viewer member Andrew Johnson aka A New Line (Related). I might be biased here due to my unwavering support for any interesting music coming from the North of England, yet Andrew's (somewhat melancholic) take on dusty, loop-driven minimal electronic music is entirely his own, utilising an obvious rudimentary set-up although once tapping into a mood, just letting it ride out and do it's thing. Whilst at first this slightly heavier output might seem stylistically detached from the lighter, wistful electronic pop offerings of The Remote Viewer (along with Craig Tattersall), the ability to elicit precise feelings from just a subtle shift in chord or melody is ever present. This one runs from stripped and tempered drum machine sketches, to more loop-driven collages and super slack, low-slung dub techno before ending up on the beautifully nostalgic piece of bliss ambient electronic 'Great Places'. Despite being somewhat bypassed, it's for me easily one of the finest album's of it's kind of the past 10 years or so and the perfect entry point to this modest Lancastrian's musical world (who'll be cringing if reading this - sorry mate!). Highest recommends. (Vinyl & Sleeve NM)
