Hailing
from Santa Monica, California, young producer Daedelus
was first heard on the Dublab compilation released just
a year ago. A classically trained musician (he learnt
bass clarinet and double-bass), he soon discarded his
affinities with jazz and classical to embrace the West
Coast rave scene. Nowadays, Daedelus deejays on Dublab’s
online radio, and produces records for the visionary Mush
Records crew. As he prepares to release an EP on Scott
Herren’s Eastern Developments label, Daedelus offers his
first full length album, released on Los Angeles-based
Plug Research.
Seeking inspiration as much in 30’s and 40’s Hollywood
soundtracks as in today’s effervescent Californian misfit
hip-hop scene, Daedelus presents an interesting collection
of laidback instrumental tracks, sometimes augmented of
weird lyrical inputs. Through the unusual settings of
this album, the man transgresses much of the established
rules of electronica to comfortably establish himself
in the surroundings of West Coast collective Anticon.
His textural compositions, filled with amazing swirling
orchestral movements and intriguing electronic formations,
constantly drift between clean cut electronica and abstract
hip-hop. While the beat structures remain very much inspired
by the West Coast extravagant hip-hop underground society,
the sonic landscapes provide the listener with a variety
of influences, ranging from jazz to acoustic pop. Not
one to shy away from non-conformism, Daedelus’s diverse
creations demonstrate an incredible talent for inspired
moments. From the simplistic Playing Parties,
which opens the album, or Aplomb, to the complexity
of tracks such as Pursed Lips Reply (especially
the version featuring Busdriver, only available on CD),
Adventress, Experience or Quiet
Now, Daedelus creates fascinating instants of real
beauty and unnerving intensity.
With his first album, Daedelus shows a great maturity
in sound organisation, revealing a new talent for impeccable
composition and production. The album never lacks of direction
despite its ever changing contextual direction. The man
counterbalance his use of sometimes odd sound sources
(the listener can in turn hear a printer, a toy piano
and other antics) with clever little melodies and interesting
orchestrations, and lets his multi-faceted personality
shine all the way through.
4/5 |
