20 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Biobird - EP Review: Balance

07 May 2018 // A review by butch181

Hailing from Hamilton is Caleb Bird a.k.a. Biobird, a local drum and bass DJ. His latest EP, Balance, is a means of expressing the struggle to maintain balance, when the negative outweighs the positive.

Tracking at just over 45 minutes in length, the 12-track release contains a right mix of styles from dark to chill. Biobird’s style has always lended itself towards the darker ambient style, but his experience in the live music scene is present throughout the album as it peaks and troughs, varying pace and style to keep the energy building.

The EP begins with Welcome. A slow build-up with distorted electric guitar and dark ambient noises followed by some vocals with layered effects “Behold that is, and that of which shall be. Behold the intent, the expression of one's soul. Behold the beginning, the spark to flame”. A statement of intent, before it continues into Dot Dot; a continuation and expanse of the dark and grimy vibe from the preceding track with an industrial spin. The sort of track that would fit in well in the Queen of the Damned Soundtrack.

Switching it up, DaChillPill, as explained in the name is one of the more laidback tracks of the release. Slower in tempo, the suave and jazzy style with smooth keys and vocal-like samples, the minimal track is held together with a consistent, unfailing drumbeat. Lounge Bar-esque in quality, the vibe is comfortable and friendly. The release continues to transition from one genre to another using electronic samples combined with keys and guitar, clean and distorted effects, but a consistent beat remains throughout.  

The release has something to appeal to any mood; relaxing with DaChillPill, FutureWub or IntrinsicSoul, brooding with Welcome and Dot Dot, or just wanting to move on the dance floor with Good Vibe, Dunk Chunk N Funk, Ragnorok, and Biobird Release

As an observation, I have yet to play the album and not have someone approach me to ask, "Who is this?". The release just has that vibe that entrances anybody that listens to it. I can't believe that all of Biobird's music is free.


Review written by Alex Moulton

 

About Biobird

Releases

Riders
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Count To Ten
Year: 2019
Type: EP
Balance LP
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Counter Productive
Year: 2018
Type: EP
Tribes
Year: 2017
Type: EP

Other Reviews By butch181

Lola Sola - Single Review: Tripping
04 Dec 2019 // by butch181
This latest single from Lola Sola, Tripping, is pure simplicity; simple enough to allow nothing to draw your attention away from the vocals. With very little instrumentation beyond a guitar (which doubles as the tracks percussive element), there is nothing complicated about it, and it creates a slow and weary ambience.
Read More...
Rubine - Album Review: Secret Danger
04 Nov 2019 // by butch181
Rubine hail from North Island’s Hamilton and Tauranga, which is ideal placement, as some New Zealand’s best classic rock sounds tend to originate from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regions. The five-piece consist of Tana Tapri on lead vocals, Afzer Zameer on the drums, Dennis Ben on guitar, and Keith McGlade and Stefan Doll on the bass and guitar respectively, as well backing vocals.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sevendust w/ City of Souls @ Powerstation, Auckland - 23/04/2019
24 Apr 2019 // by butch181
A decidedly reserved Tuesday night in Auckland and people were quietly piling into the Powerstation and grabbing some drinks at the bar. The upper balcony area was closed, so the fans were amassing downstairs around the inner perimeter of the venue.
Read More...
Sonic Altar - Album Review: Under A Dying Sun
27 Mar 2019 // by butch181
In this digital age, it’s not often that you get a full length record anymore. Everything is short and sweet just to get content out there before fans forget your band even exists.
Read More...
Levi Lights On Project - Single Review: Mirror Man
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Levi is a musical amalgamation that would in most cases be categorised as folk, thanks to the groups' uncommon mix of instruments consisting of a saxophone, cello, and cajón, and a lack of a drum kit or electric instruments. That being said, Mirror Man has something unique.
Read More...
The Gemini Effect - Single Review: Little Mouse
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Little Mouse is the first single from Bad Alien, the upcoming sophomore album of three-piece alt-rock act The Gemini Effect. With some nice consistent snare work, the track jumps right off the bat with a great organic sense of rhythm that has you bobbing your head and tapping your foot along with the beat, accentuated by some gritty power chords.
Read More...
Mermaidens - Single Review: You Maintain The Stain
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
The latest release from Wellington trio Mermaidens is a straight up middle finger to the powers that control the world and throws away the mainstream formula of verse/chorus patterns, instead, forming a self-righteous maelstrom of sonic environments.  With no warning given, You Maintain The Stain gets straight into cold, apathetic vocals alongside a pluggy bassline, until the guitar jumps in with an uncomfortable level of discord that sows the seeds of uneasiness in the pit of your stomach as if every instrument is performing a different song.
Read More...
Paper Cranes - Album Review: Voices
19 Dec 2018 // by butch181
Due for release January 18, 2019, Voices is the second full-length album from Indie Folk duo Paper Cranes. While comprised of ten tracks, the album has a short overall runtime of just over 35 minutes.
Read More...
View All Articles By butch181

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • LIKE THAT
    Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • LEAVEMEALONE
    Fred Again.. And Baby Keem
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem