Survey Channel - Functional Gloss

Released: February 3 

With his previous album being representative of a void in which there is a turmoil in the human spirit. Survey Channel’s Functional Gloss is representative of the spirit’s will to create, recreate, and recover with the better parts of our nature interact. Even the future fantasy motifs that permeate the album call to a yet unknown point in which the world is ripe for human flourishing. This atmosphere is achieved due in large part to the vapor-adjacent tones that play out through all nine tracks. Something of a combination of the nostalgic aura and the hopeful future that may lie ahead that brings a relaxed vibe with uplifting tones. 

This unique approach comes through in virtually all the tracks but I think there are a few that really exemplify this like “Dawning Midlife.” This track takes the chill of vaporwavey tones in the percussion and synths alike but it has this repeating part in which it goes full futurism as all other tones seem to melt away and we get a somewhat forceful synth lick before returning to the chilled assortment of sounds. This carries through almost the entire track and gives a memorable duality to the composition. Other tracks make heavy use of vocaloid-type sounds such as “Deep Vision.” This one feels very much like a digital island out in the middle of a deep blue sea with its half-catchy vocals (don’t understand the words but the tune is utterly hummable) and loose rhythms that keep it going. 

Overall, the techno futurism meets vapor nostalgia with a dash of downbeat trip-hop makes for a rather unique experience. The message isn’t so clear, but optimistic outlooks never really are. Instead, just take your time to enjoy the vibe all around.