Erased Tapes have built a highly reputable catalogue of music over the years, releasing records from names like Nils Frahm, Kiasmos, and Ólafur Arnalds since launching back in 2007. Though perhaps the most interesting sound to come through the indie label has done so in the form of British musician Rival Consoles. Alongside a number of different remixes and EPs, Rival Consoles has released countless long players with Erased Tapes, and while we have no doubt that there will have been
tempting offers from other labels over the years – he has released his entire body of work on one imprint. What makes his sound so intriguing is his ability to use texture as an instrument, sampled found sounds and their matching effects chains have allowed him to create bespoke percussive rhythms and unique soundscapes that puts him alongside names like Jon Hopkins, Stimming, and Burial in terms of technical ability. His latest Overflow LP, which was produced in partnership with Alexander Whitley for his contemporary dance production of the same name, delivers a 70+ minute, 13 track record that instantly finds itself among the contenders for 2021 album of the year. Not every track here is amazing, or even that musical (I Like and The Cloud Oracle lean more towards interludes), though the moments that do shine, do so in a way that grab your undivided attention until if and when they decide to set you free. Pulses of Information creates a room filling mini-universe of modulated synth chords and string arrangements that doesn’t even need drums to keep you around. The project’s title track, Overflow, combines similar synth work with chopped up and heavily processed vocal samples that bounce between the OST-esque build ups that finalise in a dark and crunching blend of percussive mastery. Flow State brings one of the most aggressive drum beats on the album, which at one point you half expect to burst into a full on neurofunk climax, before it effortlessly drops into a softened, airy atmosphere of almost nothingness, a bit like something you would expect to hear on the soundtrack to Nolan’s Interstellar. As a whole it’s a very unique and equally great album, and one which more than deserves its place amongst your collection. Listen to it in full below.
Where to start:
Pulses of Information: Vibrant filtered melodies and chilling string chords
Overflow: Glitchy vocal chops dance around epic synth and percussive textures
Making Sense of It All: Inviting & emotional album closer with soft, fluttering synth work
Previous from Rival Consoles:
Persona LP (2018, Erased Tapes)
Odyssey / Sonne LP (2015, Erased Tapes)
If you like this then check out:
Ross From Friends – Tread LP (2021, Brainfeeder)
Jon Hopkins – Singularity LP (2018, Domino)
Rival Console – Overflow is out now on Erased Tapes.