Survey Channel - Ecomediums

 Released: November 3

With this latest album, Survey Channel makes a rather meta observation on the validity of repurposing art and media by creating a collection of pieces that does just that. You can more or less hear it from just the first few notes as dusty pads come to the for in wavering fashion on ”Overdot.” True to his own traditions, the album is quite seamless, effortlessly floating from one track right into the next. The transition from the first into the second track, “Divergent Worlds,” is one of the best as the tail goes into a beautiful analog sounding flourish and the drums kick in. It’s a moment I found particularly captivating as the album just began, 

Ecomediums takes plenty of liberties, leaning into retro-futuristic beats and soft ambient pads in alternating fashion. “Real-Time Body” takes that retro-futuristic approach in stride with a heavy beat and a positively ascendant sounding lead synth. There’s plenty of great rhythms on here as Survey Channel has always shown a strong penchant for intricate and hyper-processed drums. “Zoner” features some of the most varied and fun little flourishes in the rhythms that I have heard in a bit. It hearkens back to some of his earlier work but with quite an evolution to it. 

The whole album is a wonderfully intricate experience that blends the new with the old and repurposed in a way that validates the technique it questions. It’s lush and thoughtful with a top notch presentation in the overall mix. Drums pop superbly over the lush pads and the flourishes throughout feel perfectly placed. If you are in need of some non-saccharine nostalgia, Ecomediums hits just right.