Artist: Phaeleh
Title: Embers
Label: Undertow
Cat. #: UNDRTW007/UNDRTW12007
Format: Vinyl & Digital
Release Date: 3rd April 2020
Tracklist:
- Moving on
- Spellbound (ft. Amy Kirkpatrick)
- Unity
- Floods (ft. Amy Kirkpatrick)
- When You Left
- Halo
- Solace in Tomorrow
Long-time Bristol innovator Phaeleh is back with more of his genre-blurring sounds, once again on his own Undertow label.
Since his debut release in 2008, Phaeleh aka Matt Preston has developed an inimitable style of cinematic electronic music, which floats between the shifting tempos and timbres of dubstep, garage, electronica and house music. Phaeleh’s large catalogue of epic releases have cemented his position as one of the most exciting and consistent producers to emerge from his current hometown, Bristol. Phaeleh has a busy touring schedule seeing him DJ and playing live all over Europe and North America in addition to releasing various long players and singles on his Undertow imprint.
Opener ‘Moving On’ is a deep and moody piece of ambient laced but rhythmic bass music. The synths are gorgeous and the keys celestial as you float through the cosmos on a wave of subtle joy. ‘Spellbound’ has the angelic vocals of Amy Kirkpatrick drifting above Phaeleh’s brilliantly weightless drums and deft synth motifs, while ‘Unity’ is a more propulsive track with a skeletal garage beat, humid atmosphere and distant pads all getting you into a dream state while you dance.
Kirkpatrick reappears on ‘Floods’ with more of her sensuous vocal whispers. A rugged arp props up the track, which rolls at an invitingly slow tempo and pulls you deep into the mix. ‘When You Left’ gets dark, with organic drum sounds and sombre chord sweeps all making for an emotionally heavy mood, but ‘Halo’ then lifts your spirits with its harmonic hang drum sounds casting you afloat once again. Closer ‘Solace in Tomorrow’ layers up twinkling keys with gentle synth washes that are contemplative and beautiful in equal measure.