Simon Klee - Phototaxis EP - Subexotic Records | The Electro Review

Simon Klee
Phototaxis EP
Subexotic Records
TBR: 25th September


Life's natural instinct to move towards or away from light is the theme of Simon Klee's latest sound production. Positive or negative phototaxis is likely to be one of the first self-determining principles developed by our ancient ancestors, right next to movement toward prey and away from predator. Homeostasis has many facets and some of them are fascinating to watch, especially if we do not show them ourselves. From dandelion roots seeking deep soil to birds of prey wanting to dazzle their target, phototaxis can be found everywhere. This EP examines the idea through the medium of sound, stitched with the feeling of walking out into the sunshine. What's more, there is a strictly limited edition vinyl on the way featuring a lathe cut and customised artwork. We are talking just 20 copies of those. The rest of us mortals can get unlimited digital.


It begins with Corixidae. Humming drones mingle with sparkling resonances as a tapping drum emerges from the glow. Tempo builds as the swirling sounds dance in abstraction around the pounding percussion. A brief pause makes ways for electronic sounds to begin chiming and harmonising in the same rhythmic direction. Bass begins to fizz while chiming tones make rhythmic melodies across the stereoscape. Next, warping static and humming mechanics bring a strange rhythmic clattering. Drums and engineering break open fulcrums as armatures swing to deliver their changes. Dragging bass sears while strange multiphonic drones swing like skipping ropes across slow-motion melodies. Fern Unfurling takes its time, progresses gently, and then slams into us with a driving spongy tune that lifts the whole piece into the breeze.


The third number begins with wavering sounds and digital ocean waves that break upon misaligned sea-sides. A drumbeat creates the bridge between the two and then a throbbing bass provides the breathing space. Blips then sweep into the air from nearby holdings where new sounds wait for their moment to rise. The bass takes centre-stage again, before the melodic blips cause silence to hang beneath their momentum. Sunspots glares with energy while decorating its intent with sporadic lustre. Light Radiates From Within Me shows us the other side of the equation. Charming digital tones with warm fizzy distortion radiate like candle flames and distant fireworks. A harmonising under-layer of stretching sound whistles and sweeps in the complete picture. Effervescent and euphoric glimmers of clarity beam through open curtain cracks within the censored parts of the mind.


A darker element is drawn upon as Fireflies becomes the focus. As dusk falls on the moody meadow, semi-precious phonic fractions of music scatter in kites and ribbons that flutter and flick. Drums reverberate in the wetness of the evening while organic mixes with synthetic in the realms of shadow and twilight. Deep blue horizons with silhouetted tree shapes reaching like cracks in ornate glass ring in horizon stretching vibrations that shudder in the ether. The EP finishes with Transcendence. We're lifting with gentle luminosity as humming synthesisers chord and harmonise in warming tones. Smooth and slender streaks of wave slide along rattle sounds and disturbed valve kinetics before a drum-beat enters to fill the spaces. It's left to its own room for a brief pause before long plane droning sounds bring about a new era of synthesised mystique.


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