Contrasting Sounds - Hayloft (Self Release) [Ambient / Electronic Music]

Contrasting Sounds is an enigmatic new producer who got his ambient electronic project off to a flying start less than a year ago with his debut EP Transit; the four tracks composed entirely during train trips across the UK, and which incorporated sounds and rhythms from his transport of choice. It's an accomplished, rhythmic ambient debut and a fine, well realised concept. Quite whether any electrical equipment got water damage during his equally compelling Lagoon Gate sophomore is anyone's guess?

Well, he's back already with a compelling two-track single, and it's another winner. The title track gets the ball rolling, easing into life with found-sound echoes and a slowly building, somewhat dystopian reversed sound, before a low-frequency fog horn throbs through the mist and speakers to announce your voyage has commenced. An opiated synth siren then provides a hypnotic rhythmic pulse for the atmospheric layering to cling onto, the succinct sound palette creating a mesmerising, quietly suspenseful slice of ambient electronic music that locks you in and won't let go. Next up is the more dramatic, low-key cinematic sounds of "Cromer", that despite the lack of obvious rhythm, floods through the speakers, sweeping those within earshot downstream, out of their comfort zone and into a tense cinematic moment of their choosing.

I have a feeling the next release won't be far off, and I'm here for it - this project has legs. In the meantime, if you want some more low-lit atmospheric electronic sounds, check out the rhythmic ambience of Wil Bolton's Null Point album for TSMM. I might be biased, but damn it's a good one.

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Playlist Companion

Find Contrasting Sounds in the Slowtronic Playlist.