Weekly Release Spotlight: Young Magic
Posted on 2/20/2012
Young Magic
Melt
Carpark
Melt
Carpark
Right off the bat, I feel like I’m trapped in a lava lamp looking at this album cover. The swirly twirly colors all coming together as one unique piece of art foreshadows what is to come when you press play on this album. Native Australian Isaac Emmanuel was inspired by different sounds from many cultures across the world. Tribal drum patterns and Bollywood-like howls transport you to a different world. Thus, his first full-length kaleidoscopic album, we know now as Melt was born. The only adjective that comes to mind when hearing the synthesized, electronic, and dubstep sounds and rhythms is psychedelic. I want to flash the peace sign to everyone I meet when the bass starts pumping.
Kicking off the album, “Sparkly” starts a little somber and soothing with a chant-like quality. But soon enough, it picks up with the clanging of tambourines keeping a contagious beat making me want to find my Zen. As we make our way deeper into the album we come across the gem “You With Air.” This song (along with “Night in the Ocean” which comes later in the album) borders on the brink of becoming a rap song. What an unexpected twist! Along with a touch of West African drumming this combo becomes an instant success. The last song I think is worth mentioning is “Jam Karet.” I’d love to tell you what “Jam Karet” means but my name is not Google Translate so you can try and figure that one out for yourself. At the beginning of this song, the electronic melody is very reminiscent of the alternative electronic band, Passion Pit. It carries out this same funky melody to the end and closes it out with the tinkling of bells, which seems very fitting for the song.
So maybe this isn’t the kind of music you usually blast through your earbuds, but just check it out! What have you got to lose? Let me answer that for you... Nothing! I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised when you embark on your first listen through of Melt.
Young Magic - "Night In The Ocean"