For EYX011, Early Reflex introduces Ø.Ɏ. duo presenting its debut EP titled ‘Home’.
Ø.Ɏ., also going by the name of Our Youth, is a collaboration between label head Alec Pace and Andrea Prato a percussionist, producer and long time collaborator of the imprint.
Written while jamming in different environments, influenced by both natural and artificial elements, ‘Home’ is a collection of 4 tracks exploring the love for seraphic melodies and unconventional club beats.
The opener Redbird sets the mood entrancing the journey into Ø.Ɏ.’s world. The track starts with a lush melody played by a modulated carillon harmonising over atmospherical pads. An uplifting sound effect signals the entrance into the core of the tune which builds on syncopated beats, jazzy rimshots and a UK-Garage influenced bass synth.
The Italian duo pushes their formula forward in Seas of Flowers, a statement production which helped define their sound and style. A metallic vibraphone chord progression repeats meticulously like a mantra, numbing the listener’s perception. In the meanwhile sounds enrich progressively by modulated pads and field recordings, to then explode into a melodic arpeggiated koto melody supported by an incessant kick drum led pattern.
Next on, Burgundy on Gold, which experiments glitchy sounds percussions, vocal samples and time-shifting, is breaking away from the rules Ø.Ɏ. displayed in previous productions. Yet, it remains true to their identity which both centres a melodic element here performed by a distorted electric piano and club inspired rhythmics.
Title track Home closes the EP on a melancholic atmosphere which builds on melodic pads and synthesisers. An heavy kick, break beats and swinging ride cymbals enters early on deviating the track mood into uncharted downtempo UK-bass affiliated territories. The track then enriches with a stabbing-saw synth in support of the core melody which repeats over and over until the last note dissolves into silence.
Ø.Ɏ. said:
“This project celebrates a long friendship born sharing stages while touring with our bands, we then started producing music together and occasionally performed live under the monicker of Ø.Ɏ./Our Youth. Back in 2022 we felt the time was right to step things up and work on a release together, and we couldn’t be happier this is going to happen with Early Reflex.
Each track was the result of long jam sessions taking place in different environments of our homes, indoors and outdoors, bright and dark, during the daytime and the night-time, by our-selves or with friends, using acoustic and electronic instruments, everything was recorded and ended up shaping and influencing the production.
The concept behind the EP took inspiration from the environment people’s live in, which could be identified as both natural or artificial, we call it Home.”
‘Home’ is available on all platforms starting from Friday 27th January 2023.
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