After many months in the studio, Slam get ready to unleash their latest artist album, ‘Reverse Proceed’. Out next month, the album captures where the two are at musically at the moment and is an extension of their unending fascination with all things Electronic. Lending their 22 years of experience to this new project, Slam have delved into the past for inspiration whilst simultaneously heralding future technologies in the production process.
'Reverse Proceed' aims to capture the audience and guide them through the sonic landscape of the album. This method allowed Slam to fully explore the concept of the album being more than just a collection of tracks but rather an immersible piece. With this in mind, the album's opening drifts in over the course of several tracks as the malevolent ‘Tokyo Subway’ opens what is the ambient first third of the album. Tension is built through sweeping pads and dubbed out synths leading into the more delicate ‘Visual Capture’ where a sea of field recorded rain splashes over subtle bell tones and dream-state strings. Title track ‘Reverse Proceed’ begins with intensity as pulsing sub bass fills the void with yet more time induced percussive fluctuations though synthesis, the haunting pads giving more depth to this deep, evolving track. The hardware at the centre of the album takes hold as ‘Cirklon Bells’ brings a slight edge of melancholy to proceedings.
Lovely pads bring ‘Synchronicity’ into existence as you hear the first semblance of a 4/4. Stuttered percussion and fast paced, filtered synthetic tones give an almost unnatural rhythm whilst holding momentum firmly. A definite step up begins here as ‘Ghosts Of Detroit’ stamps that typical Slam sound on the album. This ode to the motor city see a melodic upheaval as tones begin to form complete harmonious coexistence and the album sees the shift onto a more dance floor orientated state.
The interlude of ‘Relevant Question’ proves to be little respite as ‘Pattern A3’ stomps in with flourishing modular based sequential tones and sparse, kicking 909 drums. Tweeked out, delayed and cerebral, ‘Factory Music’ continues as yet more off kilter sequences makes heads spin with its subtle use of FX and crisp percussion. The wail of ‘Convolute’ keeps things in check as discord swells enough to keep you ready for the solid and hypnotic ‘Catacoustics’. Rotary’ helps see the album out with its elastic synths and driving rhythms, before you wind down from the journey with ‘Resolved’.
It’s out 27 October on Soma. Make sure to download their 4-hour mix above.
© justaweemusicblog.com
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