Jordan Auber (handpan/vocals/midi instruments), Anton Serrats (bass/synths), Matt Compo (bass/vocals), Taylor Mackall (ukulele) and Owen Dudley (guitar) are Color of Rhythm. They recently released an EP entitled Flotian.
Let me start off by saying the music is exceptional. It’s this meld of organic and electronic instrumentation which creates a meditative almost zen like experience. There is a dynamic rhythmic quality that feels fluid and filled with energy starting with the first track “Blooming.” The percussive elements immediately wash over you like a serene mist. I was on board. The track does not fall into new age tropes and doesn't feel cheesy like I’m listening to something in a spa. As the track progresses it builds but slowly and never feels contrived. There are some exceptional melodic transitions that happen along the way. What a great track. Up next is “Old Friend (feat. Owen Dudley)” and here is where I start to have mixed thoughts because of the vocals. Their music is so unique and captivating that the focal center of the vocals took me away from that. Once the vocals came into the mix it's all I could really concentrate on. The vocals are somewhere between rapping and an open mic poetry session. To their credit they are dispersed and don’t follow a typical verse/chorus/verse structure. One more thing to note here is the vocals especially the rapping gives the music an entirely different vibe. The meditative almost transcendent nature of “Blooming” felt lost on “Old Friend.” There are vocals on “With Two (feat. Taylor Mackall)” but I felt they were implemented much better into the mix and most importantly didn’t outshine the music. It was like any other element which adds the brimming psychedelia and zeal. The groove at around two minutes makes is fantastic. “Blooming (wowflower remix)” sounds like Aphex Twin had a stab at it. I really enjoyed it but the IDM aspect of the song went up. At the end of the day I really enjoyed the EP. I just think they need to be careful about how they implement vocals into their style of music which is captivating all on its own. Recommended.
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