EchoMotor is a new creative project by producer and solo artist Will Foley. The artist took some time off production before getting inspired by the chaotic and unnerving allure of the sea. Foley mentions “EchoMotor was born from a desire to channel this inspiration and authentically connect with a wider sense of musical community from within a state of peaceful isolation.” His recent four-song EP The Marked Sea is what came out of that desire.
The EP gets going with “Roll On” and it combines electronic and organic instrumentation. There are synths, drum machines and also an acoustic guitar. The riff has movement but it is soothing at the same time. I was somewhat reminded of the electronic act The Knife. I heard the manipulated vocals which seems to affect the pitch. There are actually a number of different ways the vocals are treated here. As the song progresses the drums get more intense and the general sound is somewhere between DJ Shadow and Mogwai. I thought it was a solid opener with inventive production showcasing the dynamics of the song. “Justin Time” starts with a very serene and soothing soundscape. It’s all atmosphere at first. Faint elements start to come in but everything sounds like it’s in the distance at first. What starts as a lush arrangement begins to rock out with a commanding rhythm section which basically sends the song into hyper drive. The lyrics don’t come in later in the song. I couldn’t make out a word because of the effects but it still sounded cool. The centerpiece is the almost ten minute “Be Enough.” It begins with a hypnotic and repeating melody that is backed by what sounds like guitar work and other subtle noises. Around the two- minute mark drums come in and a unique groove is established. The lyrics are clear on this song. It's also the first song with a more distinct hook when he sings “In our old age we'd tell the kids about it / How we lost another's love and lived without it.” It’s a vocal driven song but it also has the most epic moment yet towards the end where the guitars soar and synths glide. “Reminisce About Now” felt different. I was picking up on Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver type vibes with this song. For the most part it’s guitar and vocals to my ears. This is arguably the best vocal performance. I liked this song a lot but it did feel a little out of place compared to what came before. Foley is clearly an artist with a lot of ideas and I thought he did a great job showcasing some of his talent. This is a solid EP from beginning to end and I hope to hear more in the not too distant future.
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