Review: Since he first emerged, there are few people that have made as much sonic impact as Phaeleh, whose beautiful harmonic dubstep and garage originals still stand out as a breath of fresh air to this day. We are here now however to take in his brand new album project, which as expected, showcases mastery as work. Across 13 gorgeously crafted original compositions, Phaeleh showcases exactly why he is so highly regarded, from the organic drum clips and stunning harmonics of 'Dusk' to the stipped back synth jitters of 'Distant Echoes' and dramatic soundscapes of 'Horizons', the man simply doesn't miss. His understanding and wielding of pad textures are pretty much unmatched, with a couple of standouts including the beautiful melodic leads of 'Elysian Fields', the acidic synthy twists of 'Okob' and of course, the sensitive sonic landscaping of the title track 'Soma', which through dripping percussion and perfect balancing, gives us a seriously impressive collection of audible experiences. Fantastic work!
Review: Unlike the majority of his Bristol natives, Phaeleh likes to go beyond his immediate remit, to express himself in ways that look further than half-step beats, kick drums and hollow sonics. This new LP for Undertow represents a true shift in mood from the enigmatic 'bass' producer, one that sets its focus on the simplicity of sound, rather than a convolution of beats and dance floor arrangements. This masterful album is made of a whole plethora of field recordings and electro-acoustic wonder, and it feels like travelling along a vast, desolate plane of sonics. We've been told it's taken the producer a long time to put together, and it's clear from the very start that this is perhaps Phaeleh's most focussed work to date. Let's hope this inspires a whole new generation of UK ambient producers. TIP!
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