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Compilation Review: Blood And Wires Volume Two

20 Jul 2021 // A review by Corinne Rutherford
Independent record label Tauranga based Blood And Wires have released Volume Two, the second instalment in a series of original electronic and experimental tracks which takes the listener on a journey through distorted synths through to serene ambient instrumentation. Blood And Wires Volume Two combines the talent of 8 talented New Zealand artists united by the idea of an experimental approach to creating music.


The label founded by Scott Brown is a truly original concept in this day and age, specialising in limited edition cassette releases and also digital downloads. The concept behind the Blood And Wires series is to showcase largely unknown musical artists and consolidate them across two compilation albums.

Volume Two melts into a contemporary journey of sounds with Diem Redux – Isostatic Rebound, a perpetual quirky flow of ambient synth which introduces the listener to innovative and progressive sounds, enabling a glimpse into the futuristic atmosphere which this album offers.

There are four tracks on side one which offer a slightly more “upbeat” approach, Si Si Es – Untitled (Trevor's Outstanding Trash Can Edit), cyberneticOhm – recombine and AGYO – Mach are the next three which offer up tripped out synth and aerial beats. Each track is an entrancing mix of sound, synth heavy in each arrangement. Original, eclectic beats, superb in the composition and delivery.

Side two in the compilation, are another four tracks of fluid sounds delivering an atmospheric, chilled out journey through the ambient musical soundscape. A Mangle Of Stars – Day After Waitangi was a personal favourite, a graceful track, delivering a relaxed yet psychedelic listening experience.

The B side contains another three tracks Synthetic Children – lconoclast Routine, Harbourcalm – Jean’s Piano (#020) and Hari Breller – Rings Mult 1. which slips firmly into the ambient category. Relaxed and trance like incorporating robotic sound bites with even more synth and clever instrumentals.

Scott’s description of the naming Blood and Wires as a title for the complication is a perfect description of the overall vibe of this album. “invokes the idea of human and machine, it makes me visualise a person huddled over a modular synth patching new sounds into existence like an artist painting on a blank canvas”. That’s exactly what it does.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

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