Published by Davide Pappalardo on January 14, 2018
Walk Onto Sun is the project of Californian multi-instrumentalist/producer Ben Engebretson. It started in 2015, and it saw in 2016 a self-released cassette called In the inside characterized by a mixture of darkwave, post punk, industrial electronics. An eclectic sound unified by a dark atmosphere, where Engebretson expresses his love for droning sounds and post-industrial movements. After playing at the Manufactured in Los Angeles Dark Electronics festival alongside bands such as Echo Beds, Cervello Elettronico, Sleep Clinic, he published a cover of The Cure‘s Charlotte sometimes for the compilation album titled The cure in other voices released by The Blog That Celebrates Itself Records.
Now he returns with the new EP Grow static, where he further develops his blend of dark and evocative sounds, while focusing on a dystopian representation of our time and political state through common theme. A story in which a central character is lost in a world where he cant distinguish between what is real and what is not, left alone and exploited by the powers that be. In order to survive, he must learn how to live his own reality reaching deeper into himself. On the musical side, we have four tracks using very different elements, but with a common dark and dream-like soundscape. Electronics, strong rhythms, ambiances, samples, creepy synth lines and a deep, crooning voice are the main ingredients in a sound at the same time familiar and new, an apt and modern take on the darker side of music.
Our journey starts with Isn’t real and his techno structure based on throbbing rhythms, enriched by obscure layers and obsessive snares and basslines. Modified vocals and effected loops complete the scene, while the track grows with an enthralling crescendo; the second part of the song touches almost cosmic and evocative atmospheres in grandiose climax. Hollowed Out begins as a dark ambient affair, adding to to its structure ritualistic chants and a steady drum machine underlined by claps and basslines. Then, a melancholic post punk atmosphere reaches the other elements, giving support to the aforementioned sound by building a highly ceremonial atmosphere. One of the best moments on the EP, showing Engebretson’s ability in crafting experimental but catchy music.
Feral plains is an eerie affair, completed by evocative tribal sounds accompanied by narrative vocals recalling in someway the darker side of Depeche Mode. The track has a slow but charming structure, based on pauses and reprises, and we can find a solemn western atmosphere. The title track closes the album by using obsessive and grinding loops upon which we find claps and riffing movements; then the seductive voice guides us toward a crawling crescendo, not forgetting to give us some melodic refrain. The song ends on a grandiose note, mixing very well cosmic atmospheres and hidden darkness in its synth.
A peculiar and interesting work, where different elements coming from “dark sounds” are used in coherent but adventurous journey with a strong cinematic feeling, a narrative-in-sound telling us a dystopic story too much close to our reality. Dark techno, ambient, soundscapes, post punk, darkwave, experimental moments, everything concurs to a mini album rooted in past sounds, but with a very modern approach. Gladly recommended for the lovers of experimental post punk/darkwave wanting something linked to the genre, but sounding fresh and modern.
Label: Self released
Rating: 8