In just seven years, Texan musician Jeff McIlwain has
gained considerable respect amongst the discerning electronic
community with his project, Lusine, despite having released
records on a hush-hush scale, often on small labels
(Isophlux, U-Cover, Zeal Records, Hymen). His arrival
on Ghostly back in 2003 could only mean more exposure
and visibility. Following two EPs released between 2003
and 2004, Serial Hodgepodge is McIlwain’s
sixth long player.
It is between his native Texas and California that Jeff
McIlwain spent his formative years. After spending some
time studying twentieth century electronic music and
sound design for music and film at the Californian Institute
Of The Arts, he began working on his own musical project,
originally appearing on now defunct Isophlux Records
as L’Usine, a French word translating as ‘the
factory’, with his debut eponymous record. Following
two name alterations (he would go under the moniker
of Lusine ICL for nearly five years, before recently
adopting Lusine as his nom de guerre), he went on to
release a handful of EPs, three more albums and a compilation
of EP tracks.
Although Serial Hodgepodge doesn’t represent
a massive leap forward into uncharted territories for
McIlwain, it is his most focused and accomplished record
to date. Refining his sound and developing on previous
recordings, he presents with this impeccable collection
of varied electronic moments a truly confident and mature
piece of work.
Whether it is with up-tempo breakbeat constructions
or almost drone-like tracks, Lusine sticks to his guns
and remains sonically extremely consistent all the way
through. Entirely instrumental, with the exception of
rare swathes of ethereal vocals found floating above
a handful of tracks, Serial Hodgepodge appears
strangely pop at times, and could well accommodate lyrics
without disturbing the balance between rhythmic and
melodic structures.
McIlwain’s versatile approach means that he is
as much at ease manipulating straightforward sonic constructions
than he is with minute details in more intricate compositions.
He builds his sound structures with assurance, incorporating
elements of micro-house, classic electronica, dub, breakbeat
and contemporary classical into subtle minimal soundscapes
that are in turn layered or dissected to serve the melodic
aspect of his music.
With this fifth studio album, Lusine’s Jeff McIlwain
reasserts his vision and continues to develop his musical
scope, gaining confidence with every step. McIlwain
has an undeniable ear for clean production and beautiful
arrangements, and he creates here a rather dreamy soundtrack
that totally envelops the listener and doesn’t
let go until the journey is at an end.
3.8/5 |
