Occupants: Alpha 1 - Science Cult Records | The Electro Review

Occupants:
Alpha 1
Science Cult Records
TBR: March 19th


This compilation album from Science Cult looks at the futurist idea of settling on new extra-solar planets. In this concept album, that displays a variety of talent from the label's roster, a 40 year interplanetary journey was instigated by an AI system named Ava. Now with the mission complete, we as listeners are given the keys to the story via the medium of manicured and experimental electronica and techno. This first release documents the findings on the first planet to be reached, Alpha 1.  

With reaching and wide beats that scatter in a three-dimensional space, a sneaky rhythm breaks through. Deep bass shadows the lines of tempo in long chords that harmonise in wavery and illuminating flashes and strobe. Zapping pulses fly from the break as a fiery bassline forms in a snake of tone and tempo. Rising drum progressions meet with adjusting amplitudes and extra layers of digital composition. Budva from Liebknecht explores a topographical landscape of rising contours and smooth landing places.

Syrte is next with Velomorph. Tubular beats scamper through crevices and bends as a splashy rhythm penetrates gloomy outcrops. Twangs of light pin-point adequate inspection sites as a revolving momentum builds and crumbles in repeating bars of fizzing bass. Tonal drums lap the shores of digital sponge and crispy static in a triangulation of agenda which grasps the rhythm in strange yet persistently timed beats churn through odd filters of temporal space.
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A choppy tempo rises with stabs of electronic power. Pulsing bass taps at the rising rhythm sounds as drums and percussion fold into the mixture. Gradual paced progression lifts a selection of intriguing sounds that curl and crunch through radio bursts of half accurate frequency. Through the distorted chatter a tide of bass and synthesiser harmony builds in slow and graceful churns that take hold of the framework in adhesive grips. Interface Down Cannot Connect by Binary Function brings out a spooky and alone feeling that deep-space undoubtedly inspires.

Leonardo Chevy brings us Ants Attack. A smooth and secretive rhythm breaks through rampant static which creeps like many legs. Soon, a percussion forms in neat and muffled beats which scamper along hats and bass. Synthesiser forms in bubbling rivers and spreads out with computer sounds taking the strain. Recording devices scan for data while organic-like formations wander in mechanical synchrony. The rhythm lifts with subtle additions and shifting of tone as repetitive and hypnotising bass ramps the flow through each section.

A vocal sample opens and then a flux of bass and drum flutters through an open window. More beats find footholds as synthesiser fizz and flux pounds at the bassline. A ferocious bass sticks to the walls as high-energy injections of sound zip and zap in a mix of direction. Shifting tones begin to distort the flow, abstract mixing brings out a mixing palette of sound that creates unique unstable formations within the track. Heavy beats then push through and bring back a dancing feel that washes away the confusion with persistent bass and minimal melody. Wave Of Taboo by Jesuon uses vocal samples and fiery beats to offer a disturbing yet catchy track.

​A subtle build of frittering tone sparkles in illuminated glades. Cymbal begins to spell out an artistic tempo before snare and bass add a more stable pulse that stitches the whole together. The chirruping tones waver through spaces left behind as more of the soundscape is sculpted with sonic presence. Swerving and mechanical chatters begin to describe a cartographic journey into the woodland, patchworks of nature like pieces of a puzzle link in ever-increasing complexity and harmony. New and more global energies present, the flow of dynamic forces moving from hand to hand through a chain of fractal reliance and feedback. Glimmer Of Hope from Kim Cosmik lifts us up and into wondrous and picturesque landscapes.

An instant dance rhythm unveils along with smooth synth tones which hide and shine behind the flow. High-energy percussion shatters and crashes in cymbal and snare as the thump of kick consistently pins it all together. A new bass rises with a cloak of effect, the amplitude swells then breaks open like an egg thrusting a dancing energy forward and pushing the momentum through. Selfless from M.E.R.V. progresses and moves with simplistic ease as breaks and beats frame the progression of synthesiser flux and beat-laden mixing.

​Itay Dailes offers Space Through Time. It begins with a sky-facing synthesiser that bounces from deep and rubbery bass. Laid-back tempo shakes and shivers in long-distance grooves that span out in light-show like pictures. Psychedelic motifs shimmer and fluoresce in cosmic flutters of potential and agenda. Graceful build-ups of flow from the percussion and the synthesiser bring a peak of sonic clarity which glides through dreamscape and memory as one.

The album ends with a slurry of sloshing synthesiser that slides across a rumble of beats and resonant bass. Eezee from Tadan opens gradually with strange shifts and dreamy interludes piercing the flow of beats. A summertime vibe spans like radiant sunshine as simple yet invigorating beats cast shadows on the road as it passes by. We're travelling, new cymbals tap into being. Their rhythm flies through the air as our grounded feet stay in time to the more paced kick-drum. Strange alien tones interpret the tempo and begin joining the chorus, an ad-lib between two cultures begins to form its own sonic language.  
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​Find music from Science Cult on Bandcamp.