29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

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

Ryumas - Album Review: Brand. Construct. Form.

31 Oct 2022 // A review by Steve Shyu
Dunedin-dwelling producer and musician Hamish Crabb, under his stage-name Ryumas, has been creating experimental electronic music for the past four years. In the present day of October 2022, his collated work over that time has been released as a full-length album. Entitled Brand. Construct. Form., it is now out on Spotify for the world to peruse and indulge in.

Let me begin by stating that I’m not all that familiar with the jargon when it comes to producing electronic music. No, I don’t know which particular effects were used, and admittedly, I even have a hard time telling what’s played on a true keyboard and what’s on a synthesiser. However, I dare say I know what sounds good and works on a tune, regardless of what instruments made the sounds.

Thus, when I was introduced that this record was dubbed “experimental electronic”, I was mostly prepared for some ultra-aural adventures, even if I couldn’t accurately explain away the technical complexities I might hear. Whilst that label isn’t incorrect, Brand. Construct. Form. seems to strive to break any expectation of what one might expect of it.

Right out the gate, skittering hi-hats, loads of synths, plus generous helpings of scratchy effects gives one a fair summary of the outing ahead. Opening track Umeboshi boasts some very Asiatic-sounding melodies, which makes sense as “umeboshi” means “salted preserved plums” in Japanese. How quaint.

Phi features, once again, the trap beat of prominent hi-hats skittering, and lots of warped synthesised sounds, piled over with scratchy effects. This recurring theme is affirmed on the third number, Lemon Coil. If you were hoping to be spared of the epilepsy-inducing crowding of effects, perhaps skip the first half of this track. For in the last half, there is an energising keyboard solo, and some much-needed melodic hooks, which are finally provided in the last forty seconds. It’s almost like a hardcore punk performance pressed as an electronic tune.

Key highlights on this album are Umeboshi, Shell and Acicula, the latter of which involves lots of anthemic, sweeping chords, and expansive synths, some that remind one of vintage videogames. As does the first tune Umeboshi, which results in a nice book-ending to open and close an album.

On certain tracks like Poison Ivory, Cuisinaire and Glu Tach, structure and cohesion appears to be left off the plans, with inconsistent chord changes and oddly-matched keys of vocal sample, driving the listening experience to sound overly “artsy”.

Tracks like Lemon Coil and Kaisor Scar seem to end prematurely after a nice, pleasant dynamic build. After some re-arrangements, the aforementioned could become high-quality electronica, as there are plenty of epic segments that could be utilised.

As another example, with Shell clocking in at just two minutes and a half long, one seriously wishes there was more explored with the major key hook, paced itself, and let passages of the tune breathe, perhaps reserving the effects for the breakdown or saving them for choruses.

With the myriad of effects and samples obviously at the artist’s disposal, there is certainly no shortage of potential in creating tremendous, behemoth pieces. For instance, one can certainly picture Glacial Skies and Shell becoming either more atmospheric and pensive, or epic, stadium-sized EDM tunes.

With this album, if the creator’s goal was to set a draft of an arthouse, hyper-dystopian cyberpunk film or videogame, then this collection of tunes has hit the spot. But for the casual listener looking for something to groove out to with friends, or to have something in their headphones as they go for a walk, this may be challenging.

But hey, there’s plenty here to enjoy, so listen for yourself. Check out Brand. Construct. Form. here, and follow Ryumas on Instagram and YouTube.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Ryumas

Ryumas is an experimental electronic artist based in Dunedin NZ. They're interested in creating unique projects with eccentric and chaotic sound design.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Ryumas

Releases

Brand. Construct. Form
Year: 2022
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Steve Shyu

Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 2
18 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
With nothing of last night's rainstorm in sight except puddles in the asphalt, the sun warmed the air to counter the day's cold breeze. There was plenty of talk of a cold snap on the way, but I was confident my tee and hoodie combo would suffice.
Read More...
EP Review: PHNX
11 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa, look out for a rising star on the horizon.Under his stage name PHNX, 18-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Phoenix Simpson has released his self-titled debut EP and it’s a gem.
Read More...
EP Review: Ben Ruegg
29 Feb 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg is one of the most hard-working people I personally know. He's a Muzic.
Read More...
Bevan Mical - Album Review: Division & Difference
12 Dec 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Since 2017 Bevan Mical has been busy. Hailing from the small Waikato town of Turua, he’s now onto his fourth full-length album, this one entitled Division & Difference.
Read More...
Bulletbelt - Album Review: Burn It Up
28 Sep 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Though nobody can claim they know every Kiwi metal band to have ever existed, to know anything about heavy music in Aotearoa, the name Bulletbelt should at least ring a bell. To say their career thus far has been impressive is an understatement.
Read More...
Will McClean - Album Review: Don't Forget to Breathe
28 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Out of the underground hip-hop scene of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington comes Will McClean, who over the past handful of years has garnered accolades on his recorded music and performances. Having shared stages with Kiwi icons Troy Kingi, Che Fu and Diggy Dupé, Will seems determined to keep the momentum and create new releases.
Read More...
Album Review: The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill
21 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Following a string of acclaimed singles, Otautahi Christchurch Hip-Hop artists And$um and Lui Mills have released a brand new collaborative album of seven tracks named The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill. The two rap artists have been kicking around the Christchurch Hip-Hop scenes for years, and have put together this LP as a result of their longtime friendship.
Read More...
GZ - EP Review: The Story Behind the Realness
16 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Purportedly an artist with many pseudonyms, GZ is a rap artist active as a part of the Auckland hip-hop diaspora. Though safe to assume he’s had a considerable presence over the years under multiple stage names, I wasn’t able to unearth much in the way of artist info relating to GZ, except images of the man himself looking like a force to be reckoned with.
Read More...
View All Articles By Steve Shyu

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
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