BIGCAT – Atlas (Cassette, 2022)

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GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker:

BIGCAT’s latest release, “Atlas,” is a beautiful collection of tracks that incorporate drones, tiny synth melodics, synthscapes, chopped percussion, field recordings, and more. This experimental project, based out of Oakland, CA, blends drone, glitch beats derived from sampled percussive objects, field recordings, and found sounds in a way that is both innovative and captivating.

“Atlas” transports listeners into an almost tropical realm, creating an immersive experience akin to a rainforest on a hot and humid evening. The album’s warm and inviting feel is complemented by its use of Javanese Gamelan and Indonesian folk samples, synthesizer drones, recordings of natural sounds, samples from old sci-fi films, and homemade percussion that is digitally edited.

Standout track “Voodoo Sisters” cooks up an extremely busy blend of reggae dub, sampled voices, and drum and bass rhythms. It maintains a steady drive while still sounding ambient, showcasing BIGCAT’s ability to balance different elements effectively. “Old Machinery” layers various discordant found sound rhythmic patterns alongside evocative ambient synths to great effect.

“Karaya II,” another noteworthy track, showcases BIGCAT’s mastery of the studio with its sparse vocal samples, chopped up percussion, ambient synth swells, and deep subsonic bass. The track manages to be both mellow and tense, demonstrating the artist’s skill in creating complex sonic textures.

Lastly, “Atlas” is a fantastic album to listen to on headphones, especially with a headphone amplifier. The masterful use of textures by BIGCAT is further showcased when listened to in this manner.

In conclusion, “Atlas” by BIGCAT is an outstanding album from start to finish. Its controlled diversity and beat-filled tranquil ambient radiance make it a composition meant for long duration in any listening form. It is deliciously crafted with sonic flavors from forgotten realms and serves as an odyssey of heartwarming selections built upon tribal rhythms and courtly ceremony.

Media: Cassette.

PRICE: 5.00

Bandcamp URL: https://bigcat9139.bandcamp.com/album/atlas

Opening the package.

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