January 22nd, 2009 should have been a special time for American duo Telefon Tel Aviv, being just two days after the release of their fifth studio album on Ellen Allien’s Berlin-based BPitch Control. But it will forever be known as the day when Charles Cooper, one half of the group, tragically died just 31 years old due to an overdose from sleeping pills and alcohol. Since that day the future of the project has understandably been uncertain, but on September 27th of this year, album number six arrived. A
solo effort from Josh Eustis, Dreams Are Not Enough is a nine track record that showcases his personal growth, offers tribute to the late Cooper, and gives fans a sonically pure listening experience after ten and half years. The production is incredibly precise, and the song writing is a leap above some of the overcrowded arrangements that most of todays music offers. Fans of artists like Max Cooper, Jon Hopkins and Apparat will enjoy the dreamy harmonies and stunning textures that cut through the speaker like sunlight through a kitchen window on an early spring morning. The album comes via New York City’s seminal Ghostly International imprint.
Where to start:
‘mouth agape,’ – Flawless sound design and softened vocals
‘not seeing,’ – Surprisingly friendly broken rhythms and glitching synth work
‘not breathing,’ – Intense drum beats, sprinkled with frightening distortion
Previous from Telefon Tel Aviv:
Immolate Yourself (2009, BPitch Control)
Fahrenheit Fair Enough (2001, Hefty! Records)
If you like this then check out:
Jon Hopkins – Singularity (2018, Domino)
Apparat – LP5 (2019, Mute Records)
Telefon Tel Aviv – Dreams Are Not Enough LP is out now on Ghostly International.