We are now four tracks into ARTMS's debut album and my song ratings remain fixed in the "7's." I'm beginning to suspect their sound may not be for me. New track Air is unlikely to overhaul that, but we're getting a little closer!
Air is underlined by a percolating beat with touches of brass and psychedelic synths. Much of this instrumental has been muted to echo the style of subdued "vibe" music that's become so popular lately. The wannabe producer in me wants to fiddle with the knobs, shifting the effects so that we can hear these individual elements in a more compelling way. Air's approach threatens to turn this cool instrumental into mush, as if we're hearing it buffered through walls from two rooms over.
ARTMS's performance mostly follows suit, riding the groove with an offhand ease that compliments the lounge-like energy of the instrumental. The melodies aren't ambitious, but they work well enough for this style of song. It's a catchy vibe that may stand out in the context of the album. More than anything, it makes me curious how the group's eventual title track might sound. Will they go big and bold or soft and moody?
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
No comments:
Post a Comment