Electronic music is one of those genres that manages to always keep you on your toes. You never know when there’s going to be a complete 360 degree change in tempo, and the addition of new and unique sound effects always provide an exhilarating listening experience.
Polyenso has brought us nothing short of spectacular with their latest album, Pure In The Plastic. Keeping that in mind, pure is not the first word that pops into my head when I listen to this. It’s not something you’d expect to listen to while taking a romantic stroll through the park, but it’s something you could definitely picture yourself listening to in a dimly lit, crowded club while you’re sandwiched between complete strangers.
Yet somehow, you feel completely comfortable and totally alive.
Polyenso Takes Electronic in Smooth, Jazz Directions
The first track from this full length release, which Polyenso dropped on April 1, is called “17 New Years.” The sound starts off with a combination of what seems to be radio-broadcasted voices and soft, rippling water effects. There might be a hint of subtle wind chimes in there, too.
I’ll admit, when the vocals kicked in, I was taken aback quite a bit. I was expecting a more electronic, computerized voice, but was pleasantly surprised when a beautiful melodic sound started pouring through my speakers. That may be where they get the word “pure” in for the album title. There’s an echo to his voice that will linger in your eardrums for quite a while, and you won’t be disappointed.
The second track, “Where To Grow (Where To Be Born),” starts off with an entrancing lead-up to those yet again beautiful vocals. The background music here makes me feel like I’m in a jungle left to fend for myself. The tempo starts to pick up about 50 seconds into the track, and the vocals become a little more raspy, while the background vocals only add to the jungle effect that you’re still feeling. Soon enough, the song slows down but only momentarily until it begins to build back up yet again, making your body move.
“Not My Real Life” is the fourth track on the album, and starts off with the sound of a needle being put onto a record. What sounds like a xylophone is introduced soon after, and a jazzy saxophone number begins to ease itself into the mix. It almost seems like a sensory overload when the tambourines and beat starts to kick in, but everything falls silent once the vocals begin.
By less than a minute into the song I could already tell this one is my favorite from the album. There’s a slight hip-hop aspect to the track overall, and it adds a nice touch when combined with everything else that’s going on. The jazzy sax makes an appearance several times throughout the song, and although it isn’t something you’d expect to hear in electronic music, this isn’t your typical electronica.
I must say, when I imagine electronic music, I cannot think of anything that resembles Pure In The Plastic. It’s something completely unique in itself, and I must say: I love it. It does embody that stereotypical electronic aspect of not knowing what sound effect you’ll hear next. Instead of sounding auto-tuned and choppy, it sounds almost as smooth as butter.
Polyenso did quite a good job with this album, and I’m already eager to hear more.
