Belisha Beacon’s ‘This Is Fine‘ forgoes esoteric sampling and analogue fetishism to revel in the code and wires of its creation. Instead of descending into grain tinged nostalgia or tech’d up futurism, the five track set exists in the fundamental principles of computer music – using entry level software to live code an ever shifting tapestry of minimal techno.
By day Belgium born Dorien Schampaert, aka Belisha Beacon, lectures at the University of Leeds School of Music. Tellingly, her music sits somewhere between the academic and the playful. Her live coding process leads to deceptively complex arrangements, shifting beats and loops constantly on the cusp of becoming untethered, while a toying melodicism in each track gives a welcoming entry point.
"The five track set exists in the fundamental principles of computer music - using entry level software to live code an ever shifting tapestry of minimal techno."
From multi-layered 15 plus minute opener ‘Wishful Sinking‘ to the mellow synth tapestry of closer ‘Hoarse‘, ‘This Is Fine’ is a constantly evolving mesh of beats and marimba like synth arpeggios. Simple loops are the heart of the record, yet they constantly weave in and out of sync with each other to the point it feels you never hear the exact same combination of sounds twice. A disorientating offset phase approach to dance music akin to Ø’s Metri.
Featured track ‘A-Pathetic‘ captures the approach perfectly. Opening with a series of stretched out over lapping tones of different lengths, the addition of hi-hats, kicks and synth bass eventually pull it into a joyous yet unrelenting groove. A groove that is somehow always the same but never seems to repeat.
‘This Is Fine’ is set to be released on Sound artist/NTS Radio show host Graham Dunning’s Fractal Meat Cuts label on Wednesday 8th March. Order a copy from Bandcamp.
TRACKLIST
1. Wishful Sinking
2. Hands On Hands Off
3. A-Pathetic
4. Well Then
5. Hoarse
Discover more about Belisha Beacon and Fractal Meat Cuts on Inverted Audio.