The sound design on Landscape from Memory, released via our mates at Erased Tapes Records, carries an almost futuristic sheen, as though Rival Consoles is working with tools not yet invented or acquired from outer space. There is a bit of bias as I write this, as he is among my favorite producers, so be prepared for some ultimate glazing over the next few words.
When God said let there be light, Rival Consoles was the electrician. As a multidisciplinary artist, the British producer brings a uniquely nuanced relationship with technology to his work - something that shines on Landscape from Memory, where he operates as if he’s like a sonic Ironman. The music feels like materials, bending, distorting, shimmering, colourful shards of glass and metal. Something that is also noticeable throughout the project is that there is a lot more presence of intricate rhythm sections. This, paired with his distinctive soundscape, creates a dynamic interplay that pushes the project into richer, more immersive territory. Being one of the kings of heavy electronic melancholia that hold you in a chokehold, Rival Consoles delivers an exceptional performance that's characterized by both diversity and the ability to surprise listeners.
One of the memorable moments here is "Jupiter" - a track characterized by both diversity and the ability to surprise listeners. Starting with a minute-long, synth-heavy build-up, I loved the switch and the four-on-the-floor energy he introduces later on, which reminded me of Bonobo's work. Throughout this project, synths are given a voice, and it’s almost as if Rival has created a new language through his tasteful arrangements.
When it comes to this particular track, he elaborates, “At the heart of this piece is a call and response. The main idea is changing, but the response is always the same. This is connected to life and nature. I wanted the music to feel like materials, bending, distorting, shimmering, colourful shards of glass and metal. To me, it feels like the sun touching objects with its warmth and power. The track is titled ‘Jupiter’ and references early works of mine called ‘Helios’ and ‘Voyager’, which are all connected to our place in the universe.”
There's also something beautifully human underneath all the technical wizardry. Built partly from old audio fragments and ideas West had previously abandoned, Landscape from Memory feels like a conversation between past and present, with organic textures constantly rubbing against futuristic synths and meticulously programmed percussion. The result is an album that can feel both deeply intimate and impossibly vast.
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Read our full interview with Rival Consoles, if you want to know more about Ryan.
