The Keychain Collection, the debut release from Englishmen Gang Colours, aka Will Ozanne, is a stunning blend of subtle electronic and piano compositions. Released on influential British DJ Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, The Keychain Collection fits perfectly amongst the label’ back catalogue of soul and electronic.
The most distinctive feature of the album is the use of texture. ‘To Repel Ghosts’ utilises one shot of white noise to form part of the rhythm, while ‘Don’t Want Your Calling’ employs waves of washed out grain to form an ambient backbone. Ozanne creates much of this texture through the successful blending of the organic and the synthetic, with each one complementing the other rather than competing for focus within each song. Piano proves to be the instrument of choice, giving the album an overall very warm feel, with a great sense of care exhibited in the crafting of each individual sound.
The use of vocals is limited throughout, except for pitch-shifted samples on the opening track ‘Heavy Petting’ and short phrases on songs such as ‘Forgive Me’ and ‘Fancy Restaurant’. However, the little that is heard of Ozanne’s voice definitely leaves you wishing for more.
The final track, ‘Rollo’s Ivory Tale’, is a sparse piano composition dotted with electronic bleeps that emulate bird noises, providing a rather subtle yet fitting end to an otherwise rich and emotional record.
In only 10 songs, Ozanne manages to craft an album that is both intricate and binding, in which each individual sound becomes necessary to the entire aesthetic. In combining excellent production with smooth piano, The Keychain Collection proves to be a distinct yet essential work of electronic music.
Joshua Millar
