Mark.Nine - In Memories EP [io034]

Album: In Memories EP
Artist Name: Mark.Nine
Label: I/O Netlabel
Genre: Downtempo, Chillout
Release Date: 4/2008
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Reviewer: Ryan

Marcus Gutierrez is a talented man. He runs his own netlabel, produces a heavy output of music, and does some very nice web design and visual arts, too. All of this and he's still in high school.

As Mark.Nine, Marcus has released hours of music since 2006 on his own I/O Netlabel. Some of you may have enjoyed his last release, Artificial Horizon (April, 2007). His newest creation, In Memories, is an EP of a very similar style. The lo-fi drums, reverb-laden synths, bright, swirling chimes, and pleasantly unusual basslines are all back again for another showing - only this time, better.

>From the moment I started the opening title-track I knew I was going to have a pleasant half-hour of listening. This EP is the epitome of Mark.Nine. I could spend much more of your time discussing the minute details of this EP that astound me, but I digress. Rather, download it and see for yourself.

If you like melodic, downtempo electronica, this is for you. My only complaint is that there's not more of it!

Afristralian:
I Fully agree with Ryan's assessment, this album is (once again) a standout performance from Mark.Nine. It's VERY laid back and sometimes you lose track of the music almost like having a moment of sonic unconsciousness.

The music is really good and its recommended to all lounge and downtempo lovers.

Freezan - Sune EP [FPR018]

Album: Sune EP
Artist: Freezan
Label: http://www.fresh-poulp.net/
Genre: Downtempo, IDM
Release Date: 3/27/2008
Reviewer: Ryan
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Every now and then I sit down to play an album, almost without thinking about it. Only after I hear how good the music is do I really get excited about it. That was the case with Freezan's latest offering on France's Fresh Poulp Records.
The album opens up with "Sometime", an exceptionally diverse song featuring metallic drones, tinny sampled voices, and harmonic basslines, all blended with glitched beats. The next track, "Untitled" grows from a single piano part to a complex plethora of layers, all coming together to very good effect. This track has an almost psuedo-dub feel; imagine if you could take lounge music and make it grimy, yet polished.
This four-track EP is finished out with "No Name" and "Ending", two tracks which are both soothing and unsettling, because of the calming melodies and warped, scratchy sound, respectively.
I was very impressed with Freezan's EP as a whole. This young Kazakhstan native proves himself to be quite skilled in creating his relaxing brand of piano-based electronica. This EP is a must for anyone looking for a way to unwind.

New Team Member

Greetings everyone!

Its been a while since the last review. We have been hunting for some more people to help out with the workload and we are very pleased to introduce Ryan to all of you. Ryan is a released netlabel artist (who's music we have reviewed too!).

His first review will follow shortly, so keep you eyes open for more!