Release Michailo and Irakli Intergalactic Research Institute For Sound | The Electro Review

Release
Michailo and Irakli
Intergalactic Research Institute For Sound
TBR: 15th June


Crafted behind bars and from an electronic music laboratory in Germany, this double artist EP is making a political statement as much as it's delivering the goods. Being locked up for enjoying a party a little too much seems like a form of tough love gone wrong, especially when it's for nine long years. No-one was hurt, only the immediate future of a talented and hard-working musician. Luckily for Michailo, his spirit refused to be tampered and after a couple of years incarceration, the authorities granted him access to a studio. He built it in prison himself from an unused cell with equipment donated through his network of music fans. He's released a few albums, and this EP is making the journey into the wider world.


Irakli has been making music for years too, but on the greener side of the fence. Since moving to Germany from Georgia, Irakli's become a proficient and well known sonic entity. Combining this national talent pool with the mission of asking the big questions about narcotic prohibition, Release perhaps begs us to think about who we all should be releasing. Its press release is an actual open letter to the Georgian government, you can read it in full here. With a humble plea to reconsider the draconian punishments for minor crime, it's hoped someone may actually listen. So let's listen.


It starts with a heavy synthesiser tone that dives into deep crevices while static charge builds up around it. Other tones sweep in on windy bars before a dank drumbeat brings on a catchy rhythm. Wet and juicy effects give a slosh and flow to the stable elements while a sinister atmosphere steadily creeps in the shadows they form. New rhythms penetrate the thick with a higher source, everything seems to be crumbling and shifting in ways we can't imagine. The snaking tones and undercurrents drone in helices of sonic flow, building and progressing until a subtle melody moves in the stillness. Alerted to a crystalline sensation, captured by a dreamy wave, an escapism in the darkness takes a-hold. Merme is a delightful ambient journey that spans out like an epic story as we travel through at reading pace.


Shrag Sibylline begins with a gothic chorus in a cellar full of dripping substances and low light illusions. Pipework rattles and shakes as an undercurrent of building pressure adds viscosity to the ambience. Horn like tones with human voice facsimiles swirl and cake together as a dreary and intriguing swell gathers underneath. Digital sounds and natural feeling effects give an eerie sensation of unsure waiting. Melodics shine out of the knotted formation of wavelengths and they bring a new sense of percussive dimension. Drums shatter the rhythmic silence as forlorn encounters with synthesiser keys knit broken and sombre chords.


A thumping drum brings on a wavering tone which dances in slow progressions around a delicate formation. Melody again is prominent, and then uplifting cymbals add a sprinkling feel to the mix. More drums are played in, they jostle and gleam in expressive patterns as even more hand-drums roll and wrap with consistent clarity. An ocean of rhythm with waves pulled by tidal lunar forces of the mind is represented by sonic effects and instrumental additions that enchant and mesmerise. Kult is a hypnotic and mind warping number, it illuminates parts of ourselves most music neglects and leaves us feeling satisfied that we've listened to some great music.


Finally, a steady and creepy build of electronic sounds and mechanical hums brings on a slow and progressive drum-score. Snappy hats and snare roll in evocative sections of sound while cooing deep bass tones dig us deeper into our hole. Ladders present in neat arrangements of major key and lights from the top give us a clue as to what lays ahead. Just keep climbing and do what your body knows it has to do. Slurring engineering and grease-hungry mechanisms curl the inner ear while persistent and striking drums repeat and cling to each other with jagged teeth. Final track Merion is dark and unnerving, the atmosphere has changed from sunny and enchanting to sinister and oppressive. A nice little reminder of where we are when listening to this from the creator's point of view.


This 12” record and digital release is truly making waves and points on every level.


You can discover more from the Intergalactic Research Institute For Sound on Bandcamp


Facebook


and Soundcloud


Michailo is on Soundcloud


and Facebook


and Irakli is on Soundcloud


and Facebook


Out of this world!! For all you Intergalactic sound sculptors out there, awesome space and sci-fi themed t-shirts. Look the part and support The Electro Review.