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CD Feature/ Jerome Froese: "Neptunes"

  Tobias

Don’t we all sometimes wish for Aldous Huxley’s imaginary brave new world to come true? As technological progress is approaching a straight line on a diagram, music will more and more be forced to either take on the function of a piece of furniture (you know, those “Music for Modern Living” Compilations) or provide an escape route to a different and better reality. On his full length-debut, Jerome Froese has chosen the latter - the “Soma-option”, so to speak.

Still, while there is nothing objective to be said against escapism, “Neptunes” is by no means a cheap aural vacation. Back in 2005, when he had just released the “Radio Pluto” EP and moved away from the Drum n Bass-style of his previous work, Jerome announced the route to take: There were going to be guitars, lots of them and used in the most diverse ways. He has kept his promise and yet things are much more colourful and shimmeringly exciting than one might have expected. The title track of that EP, as well as the other included preview, “Friendship 7” already hinted at what was to come – a dynamic mix of Rock, shining pads, spacey sequencers, delicately echoing percussions and minimal but highly effective melodies. All molten into constantly evolving structures, positively confounding expectations all of the time, while keeping a steady groove and a formidable flow. Yet, “Neptunes” takes the concept even further, allowing for drifting ambiences and some rougher, radically marching passages. It all comes together perfectly on the album’s core, the 10-minute long “Decoding with Celine”, which gyrates above a powerful bassline and some dense rhythmical rumblings, ebbing off and picking up pace again until reaching the point of utter exhaustion - and then gently releasing the listener into the warmth of night.

Compared to those cosmic hippies, Froese is neither heading for the outer rim, nor has he decided to float in the void unbelted. Rather than looking for aliens, this record is researching “reality at 52 degrees of latitude”. Which may not satisfy the children of the revolution, but make Aldous Huxley proud. So say hello to this brave new world, say hello to “Neptunes”!

By Tobias Fischer

Homepage: Jerome Froese
Homepage: Moonpop Records