by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

James Devane has been busy – but along with his personal investment comes music of chance.

In his own words: “These recordings are the result of chance. Using hours of source material, everything was “chosen”, manipulated, and assembled at random via custom software without concern for key, tempo, measures, or rhythm. A search button and a save button.”

What’s the music like?

Consistently good – with a wide range of sonic panoramas as the album unfolds. The glitchy rhythm of Kilter proves to be rewarding, with a spatial backdrop. On One Place he puts the squeeze on the melodic material, and the same with the hi hat appropriation on No More No Less. Bottom Dweller is surprisingly ambient, while Vascai has a fulsome presence.

As part of the varied emotional backdrop, Maybe Tomorrow is a bassy beauty ending in a rich pool of sound, before the dubby Last Strut. Lights Down Low is heavier and bassy but atmospheric with it, while the booming Ending is almost too oppressive but signs off in style. 

Does it all work?

Yes – a wide variety of styles for sure, but brought together in a way that makes Searching a coherent album.

Is it recommended?

It is. James Devane proves himself to be a highly versatile producer, traversing a number of contrasting moods through this album. It proves extremely effective, a really impressive addition to the canon.

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,229 – Thursday 4 July 2024