An electronica

It's hard to find electronica artists that don't have the same pounding bass permeating through an entire album to the point that it sounds like one giant song. It's also hard to find one that doesn't repeat the same high-pitched squeal that makes me actually want to sit through a fire alarm. Example. The name of the game there is looping and static-ridden boom-tap beats. But then there are the guys that never make it into the clubs or onto TV. The simple answer for that is because it's not easy enough to follow for most of mainstream America. Guys like Justice, who have reached success in comparison to others, will never be replaced at the top of the formidable electronica/techno pyramid, but there is plenty of room for smaller groups to support their weight. British producer Lone has recently come out with his newest album titled Emerald Fantasy Tracks. I pressed play and was immediately greeted with something I thought I was going to hate. I thought, "Ah crap, not another asshole with a computer." Then the first song developed... and transitioned... and dropped... and switched rhythms... and altered samples... and altered bass hits... and altered melody lines... and, well, you get the picture. This guy is the real deal. This kind of electronica takes hours upon days upon weeks upon months upon years to perfect, fiddling with every piece of equipment you could possibly imagine to get the right sound. I envy people who can rise above Garageband, Logic, and SoundStudio samples. Even if someone were to use them, playing with their tone, intensity, and sustain requires enough dedication and musical prowess that I can appreciate the product. Bottom line is Emerald Fantasy Tracks contains incredibly technical work characterized by beautifully intricate melodies and beats with a woozily giddy and tropical feel.

I'm obviously very opinionated about this type of music. Techno and electronica, if done right, can be some of the best music out there. I urge you to take a few minutes to listen to Lone. He is one of the best electronica artists I have encountered recently. Try to compare his beats to those of popular artists. You should find they follow the same rhythms and beats per minute as any of the songs that you hear in a club or bar. Lone, however, does not repeat samples to death and diversifies his melodies.

Verdict: 4.3/5. Favorite tracks: Cloud 909, Aquamarine, Rissottowe_4, and Petrcane Beach Track.

Best, Jonathan