TC80’s new album, Play, will soon be released soon by Sequalog. Composed with the idea of living life via a video game concept, the music is all about a life cycle through the medium of computer technology. It is TC80’s third album in as many years, which hasn’t stopped him from putting out a plethora of EPs, including ‘TOUR002’ with the Howl Ensemble earlier this year. The fourth release on his own Sequalog label, it shows serious promise for future releases.
The album opens with ‘Cloud’, a gentle, grooving track that eases us into the album. A deep, trip-hoppy affair, the sparkling synthesisers that get things started are joined by a deep bass. A laid back 90’s percussion groove gets your body moving as the synthesisers meander and wander. TC80 gets down to business on ‘Download’, the second track on the A side. A more uptempo beat welcomes us in, with dancing synthesisers joining in, as do rapid fire, ticking hi-hats. As the synthesiers modulate and take shape, we are taken away on a journey.
‘New Life’ opens the next side of the album, signifying birth. A fast, headbobbing beat welcomes us into the world, along with a prodding single synth figure. Electronic beeps and more modulating, arpeggiated synthesiser join, along slices of a vocoder line. The title track, ‘Play’, comes next and brings with it a sunny disposition. An uptempo house beat guides us and a dancing, playful bass figure gets us dancing from head to toe. Synthesisers wash back and forth as we explore the world.
The third side of album is ‘FM Stage’, an adventure through a range of frequency modulations. A pushing, almost off-kilter beat and a repeating synthesiser line greet us. Snares roll under the hi-hats as far out synthesisers dance through different tones. ‘Creation’ comes next. A warm synth starts things off along with a dum-dum-dum kick and constant hi-hat action. Dubbed-out taps bring the atmosphere, as does more metallic percussion. A prodding bass line brings new life swaggering into the world.
‘Vector 8’ welcomes us to the last section of the album. A deep beat sets the groove as synths dance and sparkle overhead. Chords join the track and deliver a sense of the epic. The final track on the album is ‘Upload’. A meditative affair, it takes us away on blissful chords, as does a return to a more laid-back groove and bass line. Bringing the album to full circle, ‘Upload’ completes the spiritual, aural adventure that TC80 has created.
Tracklist:
A1 Cloud
A2 Download
B1 New Life
B2 Play
C1 FM Stage
C2 Creation
D1 Vector 8
D2 Upload
Sequalog will release Play in June 2018
Photo: Elizaveta Meduneckaya
