Inspired by a remote place of mystical energy at the end of an unmarked trail somewhere inside Olympic National Park, Slidecamp combine all matter of textures and beats on this edition of the same name. Fusing found sound, field recording, synth experiments and good old fashioned beat-making, this release comes out sounding refreshing different, perhaps owing to the channelled energy from it’s mysteriously inspired origin.
Kicking off with the steady groove of “Geometer”, Slidecamp go about their work with a careful attention to detail. Clever sound design is evident throughout each piece, as is considerate mixing ability.”Chillits” feels like a blustery rained out day in a forest, rain drumming on a tent roof as mellow chords and static transmissions float across the top. “Fire Balloon” moves back into beat territory, with a pulsing bassline pushing the beat along. “4th of July” almost feels like a reflection of the past, a meditation of times gone by, with glitch beats crackling over melancholic pads. “Coppola” eases it’s way into synth freakout territory, slowly panning, swirling and folding over spots of found sounds. “Realmsweeper” leans quite deeply into Boards of Canada territory, without sounding like a ripoff. A muted melody carries the track along before organs take over, and like B.o.C they swing between these 2 elements before pushing them together, with excellent results. Definitely a highlight. “Roll Chamber” could have pinched its melody from either an 80’s pop ballad by Michael Bolton, or a soap opera sitcom from the mid 90’s. Don’t let that put you off though, it actually works. “Liftoff” has the responsibility of closing, and it succeeds confidently with wonky tape guitar bouncing along until sweeping synth lines take over, fading out in a truly retrospective tone.
Slidecamp have created a very individual edition here, one which will stand alone amongst such other contemporaries as Boards of Canada. If all trips to the forest could inspire work like this, I’d do nothing but go camping. Great stuff.
Nick Giles
