Marlon feld - The last Survivors

Marlon Feld

The Last Survivors
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Marlon Feld has been studying and composing classical music his entire life but it wasn't until only a couple of years ago that he was introduced to IDM: After a diet of Boards of Canada, Plaid, Autechre, and others he decided to give it a shot himself and learn the ropes. He recently released an EP entitled The Last Survivors that showcases some of his attempts at electronic music. After spending some time with the EP it seems as he was most influenced by Boards of Canada but I also heard traces of another brilliant electronic act called Isolee. Not unlike Boards of Canada Feld infuses various ominous sounding synth tones that sound like they came from what people in 1950 thought the future might sound like with beat heavy hip-hop inspired sounding kits and beats. While Feld may be still discovering the sounds that let listeners separate him from the masses of other electronic musicians, these songs are well put together and blend a surplus of tones, loops and swirls that not any novice to the genre can't compete with.

Take for instance the opening track “Circumfuser.” He does a great job at selecting the right sounds so they coalesce and make a dark sounding tunnel of synths and guitars. There are layers of synths; some that float in the distance while others feel like they are off to the side. His sparse but effective use of sounds is also to be noted. A guitar is used but only at the right moments which lets all the other sounds breath. He continues along the dark city type environment that fans of Burial will enjoy with “Long Purple.” The song doesn't have too much going on but doesn't need it as every part from background synths to the continuous rhythmic loop seems fine-tuned to co-exist with one another. ”Scelidosaur” creates a disorienting soundscape where synths are a couple of semitones off as the drums provide the glue that holds this piece together while the closer “Turtle Narnia” feels like the most well-rounded song on the album. “Turtle Narnia” starts as a beat heavy song that eventually dissipates to detuned bells and the sound of rain.

Marlon Feld is very talented who seems to be just discovering the possibilities of his pote. His compositions are put together meticulously and show a lot of promise. At this point I feel like if he digs to find sounds that people will identify with him he will be golden.

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