Taylor Richards - Not The Age Of Reason

Taylor Richards

Not The Age Of Reason
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Taylor Richards is an artist from Adelaide, Australia who recently released an album entitled Not the Age of Reason. Richards is an electronic producer and Not the Age of Reason contains twelve different songs that are all about two minutes in length. I wouldn’t go as far to say as this music is an exploration of minimalism but Richards doesn’t use sounds that feel superfluous.

Richards prefers percussive-heavy songs with spiking transients rather than atmospheric pads that surround you. The tones and textures are usually round and warm as opposed to jagged and sharp. Your ears won't be left buzzing if listened to at high volumes and it might actually work as a sleeping aid because of some hypnotic like qualities.

He opens with the title track “Not the Age of Reason.” Richards starts with an array of cascading notes that reminded me of something you might hear from a composer like Steve Reich. About halfway through bass instruments enter into the mix along with white noise. The song had the potential to go much longer and gets more experimental but Richards stops the music before than and chooses to move on to “Design.” Some of the sounds reminded me of Todd Terje and in fact has a similar elevator music type quality.

“Chinese Whisper” contains a juxtaposition of textures and tones, which make the song sound upbeat yet ominous. It worked out well and even though the standup bass was digital it still worked.

“Coffee and Stress” might be ironic because the music sounds anything but stressful. It’s bubbly  and certified headphone music. Richards even goes melancholy and nostalgic on “The Balancing Act” while “A Life’s Building To Nothing” contains a unique combination of sounds.

Not the Age of Reason works really well as an album that you listen to from beginning to end. The individual songs didn't seem to matter as much as the flow and feel that Richards takes you through. Not the Age of Reason is far from perfect but definitely displays a good amount of potential. Richards is an electronic artist who is just beginning his journey. Keep an eye on him.

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