tim jackiw - the never

Tim Jackiw

The Never EP
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Tim Mularz

It sure seems a lot of web designers also like to compose electronic music. It also seems like a lot of them are pretty good and there is no exception with Tim Jackiw from Australia. He has been making electronic music since the mid 90’s and has certainly refined his skills. His music is often appealing in the same way music by Fennesz is appealing. It pulls you in different directions but also usually has a warm wave of white noise that brings some calmness to the storm. It’s like the serotonin in your brain that makes sure things don't ever get too out of control. You have your center and you can operate around the madness.

The Never starts off with my favorite track on the album called “Shore” which also happens to be the most rhythmically desolate. As I am a sucker for waves of white noise I found this intriguing but also was pulled by the other things happening in the song such as the climbing tones that sounded like an electric piano or the somewhat random glitches that would occur. The second song “Warm as Ice” is more of straight IDM - good although recognizable. The track relies on the complex percussive patterns to keep you interested while the warms pads relax you. I do like how Jackiw combines two very different feelings. The warm distant pads creating a calming effect while the percussive elements are a bit more inclined for those with ADD.  Interesting Dichotomy. “Dying Inside” is the longest track on the album lasting over nine minutes. It starts as a somewhat eerie ambient piece that grows into a platform for shoving in a vast amount of noise. Layer after layer the programming is detailed and nuanced where the gold lies in the details of the music, making headphones a must. He scales back the percussion again on “Eat Some Sun,” which feels like a digital sunset when the earth is taken over by A.I.

The bottom line is Jackiw is talented. He has been doing this for a while and has a surplus of skill to make innovative compositions.

bandcamp

youtube