Artist:
Xspance
Title:
Melodyheart
Label:
Section Records
Released:
5th Dec
Influenced
by artists such as Jon Hopkins, Tycho,
Apparat, M83 and Ulrich Schnauss, Myles Webb A.K.A. Xspance has
released under his own steam through bandcamp as well as re-mixing
tracks for Echaskech which lead to his debut release on the Stripped
sub-label Hype Muzik, the sultry 'Disappear With Me'. He also has a
track titled 'The Last Sunrise' on the beautiful compilation release
from Just Music 'Ambient Zone 2'. Xspance’s sound has also caught
the interest of other well established labels, such as Stellar
Fountain Records and John Johnson’s Hydrogen and NYLO labels.
Collaborations with Section label artists Joey Fehrehbach and
Audioglider followed and
naturally he
caught the attention of label boss Nick Brennan.
The
album commences with ‘Sunlight Song’ ‘is a slow paced piece of
ambient electronica which layers lovely melodic synth voices and
piano over shuffling field
recordings that
provides a nice
opener to the album. As the album
progresses it’s filled with intricate melodies and angelic voices
at times the bassline is more attacking notably in the intro to ‘Pass
Me By’ while others begin in a classical fashion such as ‘The
Reef’. However, although there’s comparable themes and certainly
synth voices employed throughout, each track is a little journey of
it’s own that grabs the attention and lifts the spirits (in many
respects like Jon Hopkins and Ulrich Schnauss have before him).
For
me this Myles is a talent I’m glad to be introduced to and a worthy
addition to the Section Records catalogue. This collection has
somewhat of a wintery feel to it and the release is timed right for
the Christmas stockings as a worthy alternative to those cheesy best
of ambient collections.
Reviewed
by Woodzee.
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