Konx-Om-Pax may be best known for his work as a digital artist and graphic designer producing videos and artwork for fellow Glaswegians Mogwai, Rustie and Hudson Mohawk amongst others but “Caramel”, arriving courtesy of Planet Mu on 8th July 2016, is the latest addition to a handful of musical efforts and his second full-length LP.
Tom Scholefield’s music sounds like the work of someone who is used to visual forms of expression; analogue tones distinguish it from his animations which are often characterised by a digital sheen, but the album nonetheless lends itself to an almost synesthetic experience.
"Hardcore, early Jungle and DnB experienced second hand on tapes shared between friends created what he calls “a kind of imaginary nostalgia” for a scene that peaked when he was still too young to experience it."
Caramel signifies a development of the style exhibited by 2012’s “Regional Surrealism“, sounding altogether more grand and optimistic; it is an exercise in colourful maximalism and the rich sonic landscape is littered with references to a multiplicity of musical styles.
Only the foolhardy make claims to authenticity, and Scholefield has been willing to expatiate on the styles that inform the record: Hardcore, early Jungle and DnB experienced second hand on tapes shared between friends created what he calls “a kind of imaginary nostalgia” for a scene that peaked when he was still too young to experience it.
"Caramel pays tribute to the eighties Sci-Fi films much beloved of its author; electronic chasms, icy leads and synthesised brass sounds reminiscent of Vangelis’ work with the Yamaha CS-80 on the Bladerunner soundtrack dominate, creating a retro-futuristic aesthetic."
The album has already been likened to “Levitate“, the most recent offering from Lone on R&S, which took rave fetishism to new heights; given the use of detuned vocal samples, chord stabs and track titles such as Perc Rave, as well as the close working relationship of the artists, these comparisons are unsurprising.
More than anything however, Caramel pays tribute to the eighties Sci-Fi films much beloved of its author; electronic chasms, icy leads and synthesised brass sounds reminiscent of Vangelis’ work with the Yamaha CS-80 on the Bladerunner soundtrack dominate, creating a retro-futuristic aesthetic. With speculation rising surrounding that all important element of the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s masterpiece, is this Scholefield’s entry in an imaginary open call?
Caramel is out now on Planet Mu, order a copy from their web store or Bandcamp.
TRACKLIST
1. Video Club
2. Perc Rave
3. Last Jam Forever
4. Manhunter
5. Oren’s Theme
6. Frozen Border
7. Mega Glacial
8. Caramel
9. Radiance
10. Beatrice’s Visit
11. Stay
12. Cosmic Trigger
13. At The Lake
14. Rainbow Bounce
Discover more about Konx-Om-Pax and Planet Mu on Inverted Audio.