Katy Coxwell - Can we meet in San Diego?

 

Released: April 8

Playing on the purposeful interpolation of technology into otherwise classical compositions, Can We Meet in San Diego? feels much likes pieces of various soundtracks put together in a bit of an avant-garde and wide reaching compilation. I put it this way because it seems to touch on a lot of different motifs that would fit well in a variety of contexts - science fiction, romantic dramas, noir films, etc. - but they all maintain a particular atmosphere about them that makes all if these individual pieces work well together as an album.  

As previously stated, it's the interplay between more conventional instrumentation and the insertion of more abstract electronic sounds that makes this album so intriguing to listen to. It leans into this from the start, but the track that really struck from the first few moments is the second track "Circuits" The first track kind of set this up with small little bits of odd electronics alongside a predominately piano and strings foundation. But "Circuits" comes in immediately with gentle electronic blips and beeps that repeat themselves in unusual and offset patterns with only the slightest hint of strings behind them. So with these two very different tracks, it then leads into "Film1" with synthesizes both in a way that starts with tension filled electronics and percussion, but then shifts suddenly into a simple solo piano piece before reverting back to its original tension. 

As I said, there are a great deal of different moods here. One of my other favorites here is "The Great Washed" which has this interesting vibe that falls somewhere in between a sci-fi odyssey and a cheesy action comedy. It's the main synth that keeps coming in and out with a certain rhythm to it that feels energetic but also kind of spacey and abstract. There's also some tracks that feel very heartfelt and maybe even a bit tragic. "The Tree" has this kind of atmosphere to it with its single lonely piano slowly playing out keys among a small sea of swirling and whoosing electronics. This track feels much like the moment in a movie in which a goal has been achieved but now the cost is reflected upon. It's absolutely amazing the way Coxwell is able to create these different settings through music alone and so ambiguously as to leave much up to the listener without losing form or intention.