Lotide “Lovers’ Masque” (exclusive)

14 Mar 2013 — Will Stevens

Moonless is the latest release from the consistently brilliant Astro:Dynamics. When one has such faith (as I do) in the quality of the A&R at a label, it is hard to autonomously critique anything they put out. Their most recent tape comes courtesy of California-bred and Brooklyn-based Lotide aka visual artist Devon Hansen.

The album is an expansive twelve-track piece of sound art – constructed from more of a series of well crafted extracts of music, rather than a twelve-track assemblage. Even though the record has quite an abstract approach, there are similarities to early Flying Lotus output, particularly on "You, Asleep" and "Diamond Plum" – it seems Hansen’s upbringing has left an unshakable impact on his production. But there is enough in the album to dissuade the listener otherwise, especially from the ambient sound extracts heard from "Latitudes", or the Gregorian-styled chanting on "Monks" and "Moth Communion". The album finishes very strongly with the grandiose "Lovers' Masque", which rounds off an extremely absorbing listen. There really isn't any particular low points during Moonless, as the record flows so effortlessly forward. Once again you have to say Astro:Dynamics have come up trumps. Below, check out the visuals for the brief "Monks", and take an exclusive listen to the stunning track "Lovers' Masque".

Moonless will be released on cassette and digital via Astro:Dynamics on April 1.