Dutch producer and human energy destroyer AL/SO started teasing his next album heaven descends last month with a surprising track called “Serendipity”. Known for his dancefloor blasters and cheeky song titles like “Toaster Bath”, “Shake It” and most recently “Chris Eubank” featuring Tengu, AL/SO has Also is known for presenting more melodic and experimental work, but he really goes for it with “Serendipity”. Now, with the release of teaser number two, “Ethereal,” fans will know it’s not just a one-off.
Even for those familiar with AL/SO’s more emotive and musical works like “Superfluous”, which showed interesting virtuosity with synths and really brought out his love of classic genres like opera. In “Serendipity” there is a continuation of this aptitude for synth playing and sound design, but it seems that AL/SO likes to experiment as well. With radio pop synths (or distorted pizzicato string sounds) creating the classically inspired melody, they morph into what feels like a real static vapor wave in the break, creating a sort of pre-analog Misanthropic atmosphere with more dancing.
“Ethereal” drops tomorrow, but YEDM was given permission to remove the streaming track a little early. He continues the experimental and danceable trend but with much more emphasis on the experimental side of things. Kind of celestial in the ambient layer of sound design, radio pops and static melodies and Beethoven make it feel like Lit Bach was run through an AI program, then handed over to an archangel for mastering; the one with millions of eyes.
The composition is what makes “Ethereal” a cohesive track, and not just a Zappa-esque fusion lark. As the beat goes back and forth, the track stays in D&B timing despite its many twists, making it not only danceable but dancefloor-friendly, DJs will have a blast with this one, as there are multiple ways to play it. remix. . It is also suitable for good hard tech listening as there are so many moving parts, not to mention methods, techniques and genres, changes and surprises. Finally, it’s melodic and fluid enough to be enjoyed on its own, without dancing or analyzing it to death.
Diversified without addressing a specific sect of the listening public, “Ethereal” may be a standout track for AL/SO, and we haven’t even heard heaven descends again in its entirety. Will it also be a flagship album? It seems likely that in the meantime, more grumps and industry bettors are learning that AL/SO is more than just a dance floor jockey with a knack for funny track names. heaven descends will open up a whole new world of cheeky Dutch art, and we can’t wait to hear the rest.
“Ethereal” drops on Korsakov Music this Thursday, March 30. Click here to pre-order or pre-register.
