In 2011, Seth Haley released ‘Galactic Melt,’ his debut album as Com Truise, on Ghostly International. Since then, the now LA-based producer has gradually constructed his own world, soundtracked by sci-fi inspired, cosmically cinematic music through a series of EPs and a sophomore LP, ‘In Decay’. He has announced the next phase of Com Truise, ‘Silicon Tare,’ his third EP for Ghostly International, due out April 1st. Along with the announcement, he shares lead single Diffraction – you can take a listen via Soundcloud below.
On ‘Silicon Tare,’ the sci-fi story that Haley began on the ‘Galactic Melt’ LP and continued on the ‘Wave 1’ EP takes a dark turn. At the conclusion of ‘Wave 1,’ the protagonist, Earth’s first synthetic astronaut, successfully makes contact with the far-off Wave 1 colony but, once he does, things get fuzzy. He falls in love; there is a war coming. A story that began in hope and dreams of discovery ends on an uncertain note. Change is in the air.
It’s evident Haley’s style has matured since 2010’s ‘Cyanide Sisters’. ‘Sisters’ wonderfully warped sonics could have been the sound of broken VCRs spinning analog tapes, all of them singing in unison. His 2011 full-length ‘Galactic Melt’ was rich and expansive, full of slowly-coasting synths, melodies that wriggled and popped, and masterfully-controlled rhythms. Since then, Haley’s sound and production techniques have progressed, becoming wider and fuller – high definition 3D madness. His always-cinematic signature sound and 4/4 kick drum patterns are present, of course, but the dynamics and tempos are increasingly more colourful and varied.
‘Silicon Tare’ opens with a skating sheet of synthesizer before easing into a steady, walloping beat. It doesn’t stay there for long: halfway through, the lights come up, and synth notes crackle across the sky. Sunspot is a departure–its soft-pink tone, synthetic slap bass and quasi-808 percussion recalls the edgier end of ’80s pop. And he pushes the boundaries even further on Forgive, a big, booming number with fat streaks of synth and a gleefully hectic rhythm track that stops, starts and sputters over and over again.
‘Silicon Tare’ moves Haley and the fictional Com Truise even deeper into the cosmos, discovering new lands along the way and offering a glimpse of where he may travel in the future. And if the characters at the center of his ongoing story may be in peril, Haley himself is in control.
‘Silicon Tare’ sets the stage for the final chapter in Haley’s Com Truise saga, which will be the first official follow-up to ‘Galactic Melt’. It’s not only the perfect prelude to that finale, but the perfect representation of Haley’s ever-expanding universe of sound.
‘Silicon Tare’ track listing:
Sunspot
Forgive
Diffraction
Silicon Tare
du Zirconia
Pre-order Silicon Tare from the Ghostly Store or Retailer of Your Choice
Com Truise’s extensive North American tour with STRFKR has already kicked off – see the full run of dates below.
North American Tour w/STRFKR
02.12 San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park^
02.13 Ventura, CA @ Majestic Ventura Theater^
02.14 Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory Concert House^
02.15 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades^
02.17 Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall^
02.18 Seattle, WA @ Neumos^
02.19 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House^
02.20 Missoula, MT @ Top Hat^
02.21 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House^
02.23 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot^
02.24 Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre^
02.25 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater^
02.26 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep^
02.27 Albuquerque, NM @ Historic El Rey Theatre^
04.09 Austin, TX @ Euphoria Music Festival
05.05 Sioux Falls, SD @ Icon Lounge^
05.06 Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s^
05.08 Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre^
05.09 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom^
05.10 Columbus, OH @ Skullys Music Diner^
05.11 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Altar Bar^
05.12 New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall^
05.13 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!^
05.14 Richmond, VA @ The National^
05.15 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theater^
05.16 Charleston, SC @ Music Farm Charleston ^
05.17 Orlando, FL @ The Beacham Theatre^
05.18 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room^
05.19 Ybor City, FL @ The Orpheum^
05.21 Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Beats Festival^
05.22 New Orleans, LA @ Republic New Orleans^
05.23 Memphis, TN @ 1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall^
05.24 Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom^
05.26 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre^
05.27 Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room^
05.28 Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl^
^ w/ STRFKR
