Introspective and dialed in sounds courtesy of The Palmer Initiative bring laid back acid and breakbeat jammers on the Terra EP. Moody ensembles span a large spectrum of style and character with these three tracks, coming out on HOT HAUS RECS.
Stepping forward with a progressive house vibe and finishing with minimal flair, the Initiative seemingly popped up overnight. Opting to let the music speak for itself, the EP touches on emotional fabrics with poignant rawness and a sense of relatability. No outlandish melodies or improvisational drum patterns are found within the sonic structures of “Terra”, rather a utilization of tried-and-true electronic footholds.
Reaching into the depth of pad work becomes the calling card for the EP’s first track “Terra”. Latin for earth or land, there certainly is an organic harmony achieved almost immediately with the tune. It sounds innate with its one, two chops of the drum set and celestially echoed chorus. Precise bass pitch eases into the track, at the same time providing foundation for the melancholy acid lines to shine. The chirp weaves its way through the percussive cadence, whining more dynamically as a breakdown occurs about half way through. Reverb is injected into the core of the voice acapella, echoing further into the distance as the track makes headway for the releases next offering, “Black Fire.”
Head-nodding, kick rhythm symbiotically molds with its snare counterpart as bellowing stabs and siren- esque screech join together in anticipation of a pure low-end pattern entering the scene. Distorted chord plucks are effortlessly harped bringing that sense of familiarity seen in the first track. Efficient high-end EQ keeps the progression upbeat and funky as lasers phase in and out briefly. Froggy bass-synth carries forward the esoteric energy as a deadpan harmony is implemented through a cello sounding bow pass. Pay-phone dial tone beeps intermittently in the riff achieving an efficient balance between the knowledge of ancestral patterns, and futuristic elements of evolving dance music. Clever fading of the chord compositions pulsate every two measures, adding a nice homage to the song itself and continuing its natural pathway the finish line.
The flow and message of the EP is harnessed in the first two offerings so the third can unleash itself in wonderful expression. Deep gong-like strikes move in and out with the now understood and welcomed acid formulas. At first metronomic, the bassline then slickly asserts a swing that spices up the already groovy atmosphere. The best use of breakdown yet comes at the three-and-a-half-minute mark, expertly leading the listener out of the edge before reeling them back into the heady, groove-centric journey the first two minutes worked hard at orchestrating. A cymbal crash and determined hi-hat smack amp the track even further into the stratosphere, as it immediately picks off where it left off before the aptly timed breakdown. Expect this track to gain traction as it checks all the boxes. It’s not hard to see it being spun at a day time pool party, rainy bus ride, or the epic after hours we all cherish so dearly. Lovely stuff from the enigmatic “The Palmer Initiative”. Intriguing thoughts surmise when wondering what will happen next and where this mystery will go.
-Jack Plumb
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