Style: post-rock/atmospheric (instrumental)
Review by: Dylan
Country: Australia
Release date: 24 February, 2021
A few weeks ago, I had the honor to do a crossover post on a reddit forum called /r/nearprog. It is this awesome little subreddit where people gather to share music that has progressive elements in it without really fitting the criteria to be posted on the more traditional progressive forums of the site (such as /r/progressiverock or our birth-place, /r/progmetal). I left the door open for any suggestions, as I do, given how easy it is to miss a gem on the ever-expanding internet. Flash forward a few days and I get a message by a verified /r/nearprog artist telling me all about his new release Conduit, an EP where no microphones were used, and multiple genres were explored and thoroughly drilled.
To be honest with myself and my readers, bookmarking this album was about as sure-success as tossing a coin and picking heads or tails, since I basically did it in a completely blind leap of faith inspired by the forum in which I found said artist. While they’re rare, the musicians that we found for this blog who blend genres in unique ways that I’d never heard before tend to come out with some of the most memorable releases that I hear. And let me tell you right now, Bloomcore is definitely a one of a kind project in the realms of The Progressive Subway… but the thing is, a lot of artists that are insanely unique also get negative reviews since we judge on actual musical quality first and foremost. So how did this 26 minute EP perform?
Well first and foremost let me clarify that defining the genre, or even finding bands that are similar to it, is difficult. Conduit has a lot going for it; its togetherness between all tracks thanks to a continuous flow (and a single note playing in the background throughout all 26 minutes), its use of silence and “space” to add immersion and atmosphere (akin to what The Mars Volta were doing during Octahedron), an intricate usage of multiple synth/guitar/drum patches that are varied yet selectively picked, and a wonderful sense of self which elevates all of the aforementioned elements. It is a listening experience that rewards patience and focus, because the more you spin it, the more it all makes sense as it transforms itself from “a few soundtrack-esque prog tracks” to a cohesive work that knows what its doing from minute 1. Its cinematic feel is charming without becoming a detriment due to how memorable the instrumental hooks are no matter how subtle or “quiet” they are.
I’ve been sitting on this review for over a week trying to come up with more ways to describe this lovely EP, but it is today that I come to the realization that I’ve basically told you all that’s needed. This really isn’t the release where you can go ridiculously in depth about obsessive details but one to press play to, lower your lights and have a drink to. If you’re a listener open to something different, with an appreciation towards soundtracks and subtleness in music, Conduit will be perfect for you.
Recommended tracks: Wonderflow, Projections Fatigue, Pollinated Stardust
Recommended for fans of: Mogwai, The Mars Volta (quieter sections, Octahedron era)
Final verdict: 8/10
Related links: bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook
Label: Independent
Bloomcore is:
– Nic Barnshaw (all instruments)
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