BT is a truly humbling experience to electronica. He has inspired so many aspects of it; created "stutter edit" and built an industry around it, won academy awards, holds world records, and at the end of the day, does not flaunt it. This is a testament to his moral compass that keeps him grounded while still delivering what his fans love.
"A Song Across Wires". begins where his "These Hopeful Machines" album left off. Released August 16th 2013, ASAW continues with his crisp and hi-fidelity progressions but also introduces some familiar sounds of the Dubstep style and Zedd's new signature sound affects. Also aparant in ASAW is BT's subtle "touchy" lyrics. Although some electronica fans may not find this appealing, try to focus on the tight coupling of synths and affects that truely bring out the meaning of each song that can only be experienced individually.
To truly appreciate ASAW, you need to purchase the extended exclusive album from BeatPort.com This version also contains the continuous album track that captures the transitions between titles.
Time for brass tax;
Hot Tracks
Track #1 - Skylarking - It's starts slow to get you in a comfortable place and gradually builds into a fast-paced instrumental progressive immersion of serenity. It includes repetitive patterns but these are selectively spaced throughout the 10min 45sec track so that it doesn't become monotonous.
Track #3 - Tomahawk - This has a little bit for every style for the electronica lover out there. At times this track seems like it's all over the map and could easily have lost it's way if not for the extended time. The always-loved synthpad instrument begins you on your journey until the track's featuring artist, Adam K, gently introduces the heavy 8th-note bass coupled with a 4th-noted alternating arpeggio. These two items, together with the perfect amount of reverb, give the track it's heart.
At the end, the energy is so high you feel as if you're in a rave. BT did a wonderful job on Tomahawk by blending many conventional and bleeding edge styles along with alternating energies.
Track #8 - Surrounded - The flow of this track brings me back to the days of BT's "Emotional Technology" album. He uses simple but affective styles and synths along with rich lyrics from Aqualung. The length of the track is also short enough I could easily see this being included in mash-ups on your local songs-that-are-played-too-much radio stations.
Other Great Tracks
Track #5 - Stem the Tides
Track #6 - Tonight
Disappointments
Track #4 - City Life - Sorry I just can't get into songs with oriental lyrics.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this album to any lover of easy-listening electronica.
