Capturing the Physical, Frond’s ‘Every Particle’

In the build up to his second album, Frond sets out plans for an ambitious ambient collection

Frond is the alias of Richard Bultitude, a UK based artist whose speciality lies within soundscapes which reach to define intangible sensations, and transport physical locations into ethereal realms. To achieve this, Frond looks to the genres of ambient, drone and experimental electronica. Field recording is often at the heart of Frond’s style, and serves as the link between physical inspiration behind the track and the final release.

Live instruments and custom-made synth add to the potent balance of familiarity and innovative methodology.  The artist’s discography invites calm introspection, oriented towards ambience which looks to progress expansively rather than chronologically.

The latest release from Frond is ‘Every Particle’, an exploration of intimacy and tactile closeness. Carefully manipulated samples of campfire create a calming sound which evades abstraction, falling into the gradual melodies which spread across this patient track. Recorded before the isolation of this year began, it’s an appropriate attempt to recreate a deeply instinctive atmosphere.

The single precludes an upcoming second album titled ‘Always There, Somewhere’ out now on esc.rec. A collection which considers cinematic tones, string instrumentation and emotionally rich chord progressions, the central aim for ‘Always There, Somewhere’ is to express perspectives on permanence and the lasting connections we create.

Support the album on Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify

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Climbing the peaks of Ocoeur 's Glow

Glow is from Ocoeur's 6th album Everything. Out on Feb 28th

Franck Zaragoza has a long standing relationship with n5MD records, where he has released a steady stream of cinematic palettes of sound under his Ocoeur moniker. Focused, always immersive, visceral long-form ambient and electronica, Zaragoza has developed a back catalogue that has left his distinguished finger print on all that he touches. 

’Glow’ from his sixth studio album ‘Everything’ (releasing Feb 28th) is a track rich in textured off-set rhythms and poised, fragile atmosphere. The opening melody with its deliberate plodding notation gives us a sense of innocence in motion, like a baby taking its first steps. We feel included in something tender but the presence of the glacial pads keeps us from drifting off entirely. Ninety seconds in, naturalistic percussion comes into play, adding some movement that brings us to a heightened sense of place and purpose, which Glow does very well. At it’s peak Glow elevates its sense of innocence to a place of powerful grace and while Zaragoza could have dramatized this easily- he doesn’t, instead he expresses his message with layered subtleties resulting in a pure and steady healing glow.

Pre-order the album over on Bandcamp

Find more from Ocoeur here:
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Carefully Constructed Soundscapes with Carson Teal - Liquid Honey

In most cases the objective of ambient music is ultimately to construct an atmosphere, and it’s impressive just how quickly Carson Teal is able to achieve this with Liquid Honey, a track which extends a little past the two minute mark.

The Toronto based artist continues to play with the low, measured, dubstep style which underlays his previous work, but this element of the sound takes more of a backseat than in past tracks; instead it supports the cinematic beat collapses that thread throughout Liquid Honey and provide a sense of pace and purpose.

Overlaid onto these heavier sounds, the influence of Carson’s experimental field recording roots can be heard. The track name put me in mind of something smooth and sweet, but immediately things went in another direction as I was met by an insect-like buzz which I could believe was sampled from a mosquito. High pitched but delicate whirs and clicks pervade the song, echoing notes which make full use of surround sound and successfully establish the soundscape before the latter half of the track as the ambient crescendos roll in.

Carson Teal gives us a dreamlike track that immediately draws us in, delivers an environment, and quietly fades out. Certainly, I’ve heard songs five times the length that don’t match the level of immersion achieved by Liquid Honey. Grab the whole EP here.

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