Each of the LPs has it's beauty and represents a different aspect of FSOL - the whole thing is awesome and somehow easy to consume in one go (despite being 2.5 hours of music).
Archived - a great flashback to the 90s era, enhanced to the present of course. I hear everything, the darkness of ISDN, the glitchiness of Dead Cities, and the euphoric sadness of Lifeforms. Even the brightness of Mango Tree is placed in the right place
- The new IDM tracks like 'Culture of Individuality' & 'Numbers and Colours' are my favorite, followed closely by 'Contraband'.
- The new version of 'Outer Heaven' opens like a motherfucker, and 'She Fell Backwards' closes the tripp nicely (somehow still disappointed that we still didn't get an official full length mix of 'She Fell Backwards').
Environmental
Tightly knit album, probably entirely made with the new synths FSOL make. Being 100% made of previously unreleased tracks, this is probably the 6.75 (after 6 and 6.5 releases) version of the ENV series that was rumored to come out at some point. I need more listens of this one, but for now the stand-outs are:
- 'Unforth', 'Fallin Through', 'Opposite of Thought', 'Boulton' (we've heard this awesome short tune on the recent mixes right?)
- 'Intermodulation Distortion' certainly stands out in it's weirdness, very unique track.
All in all, very 'Environmental' (as the title says) with nice break-ups by some IDM glitchy tracks.
Views
This is the modern-classical (I don't like this term... but can't think of a more appropriate one) direction that I think FSOL will go in the far future.
Its awesome, introspective, minimalistic composing, genius! Daniel Pemberton shines on piano - the guy is just pure awesomeness in just a few notes.
- 'Viewed from Pushkinova 7' - my home address, this track opens the album - one of the greatest honors I've received in my life
Sounds like there's some strings (that can totally be synth made), tons of micro-environemnts in the back, some woodwind flutes come in later, and a long outro environment with crickets and synths.
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"Across the Room / Rosey / Under Leaves / Source of Uncertainty / The House in The Woods" - this whole chunk, possibly the best chunk that ever came out on fsoldigital (top3 for sure)!!!
- 'Viewed from Rosey's Perspective' is dedicated to Ross Baker's dog, and it's a profound piano piece.
- 'Viewed from Under Leaves' incredible piano short piece, never liked the high-notes of piano, but this is just beautifully crafted.
- 'Source of Uncertainty (original long mix)' - this track transcends beauty / time / space / music / dimensions - YES, it's that good! Can't think ... ok, let's move on (PS - it's a totally different take than the one we had on ENV5)
- 'The House in The Woods' continues the transcending beauty tripp, adds some strings too.
Hope this release gets wider recognition after E6+6.5 picked up nicely with new audiences...