Long Island Sound Initial Ascent Signs Of Space Records | The Electro Review

Long Island Sound
Initial Ascent
Signs Of Space Records
TBR: 6th April


Somewhere between the Berlin electro scene and the Dublin dance populous we find Long Island Sound. This duo of multicultural music producers want to bring the best of both worlds to one well built home. That's exactly what this record is going to do when it hits the decks sometime at the beginning of April. We all love the colour, and the fact that it's nurtured in the hungry crowds of Ireland on countless live shows and mixing sessions, this final product of the moment will of course nod towards all the sonic highlights so far. It's on its own impress, Signs Of Space Records being the brainchild of Rob and Tim a.k.a Long Island Sound. Branching out like this is a way many similar minded electronic music producers think, perhaps it is a sign of how diverse and rich the nuances are in this type of music. After-all, it has to feel right as well as sound right doesn't it?


Title track, Initial Ascent takes off with a steady surge of rampant drums. Light touches build into full sounds with the addition of more bass and hats as the bars roll onward. A distant cosmicesque synthesiser chirrups in portions over the secluded sky. As the rhythm builds, with the use of snare and a dose of reverb to warm everything up, the melody starts to describe in more detail. Wistful sways to one side and then to the other while walking briskly through long ears of ripening corn come to mind. Motivation and relaxation work hand in hand to make the atmosphere one of dance and pleasure. Vocal synths start to sing, their mimicked word-forms breaking over the neatly positioned crags of drum and diving bass.


The second number opens on a high. We've just been taken into the realms of sonic infinity with the first offering, now we're tailored to by drum and bass feeling beats. The marching, head-bopping tempo mixed with the sloshy metalwork in the percussion brings on a light-heartedness and once again, a relaxed groove. Revolving synths start to produce a harmonising tone, which builds and sprouts leaves. Insect like laser zaps sparkle across the watery surface as obedient rays of light jingle in the movement. A surging bass with a wooden heart resonates deep down and with melody and rhythm, we're spoken to by the instruments of the day. Airy starlight like synthesiser tones decorate the ceiling with various colours and textures, their subtle compositions touching keys and scales with the slightest of pressure. This is Shadows From Nowhere and it's full of light.


Next, we have Alone (But Not Alone). I think this is how many of us feel. It starts with a dreamy melodic journey up some crystalline stairs. As our steps match a rhythm, the universe accompanies us by adding an element of percussion. It builds, and is joined by blipping sonics which scatter like exploding seed-pods over the forest of digitally organic sounds. Growls, crows, and gruffles seem to swell from some sludgy undergrowth. Then, a human voice flies up from one of the nearby hills and illuminates the tree-lined riverbank with stunning emotive inflections. It makes us sit up and listen, it's unclear what the words are but it's certain she means them. More elements of rhythm find their way into the pie and it culminates in a frenzy of snare, hat, bass, and melody all competing for the centre spotlight. Somehow, like some crazy jigsaw, they manage to fit in the one place. Not only this, the dream like ambience remains as a fundamental element of the track.




Finally, a sudden electro-bass kicks in with a classic tempo. Industrial smash sounds clatter down from heighty places while new percussion perks up and joins the party. When all is in place, and everyone knows their lines, the synthesiser starts. It's a rhythmic melody of pulsing major key. An uplifting fizz to the sonics makes the track lift us up like an aircraft. As the runway steams past, the lights merging to form one giant line, it shrinks and fades as we veer upwards, turn, and head towards some distant coast. ADK After Midnight has a disco feel that isn't apparent in the previous numbers. A more heavy dance element brings home thudding bass and retrograde synth choices that all work to bring out the nostalgic and still highly relevant dance-hall vibe.


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