Brooklyn’s Public Memory has released his second full-length album ‘Demolition’ via Felte. Influenced by intertwining themes such as the story of Judas Iscariot, the demise of a relationship, and the omnipotent, pervading essence of night-time the album pulsates with layered synths that create a euphoric, expansive experience that yearns for something more. As a teaser for the album, he’s shared Aegis, the latest single from ‘Demolition,’ and you can take a listen via Soundcloud below.
Public Memory is currently on tour with Felte labelmate Devon Church. The tour will include shows in Portland, Seattle, Brooklyn and performance in Los Angeles at the Felte: Celebration on November 17 at Pico Union Project. All upcoming shows are listed below.
‘Demolition’ fully embodies its theme and the emotional associations therewith. As Public Memory creator Robert Toher (previously of ERAAS & Apse) cites it, ‘Demolition’ is (whether voluntary or not) the intentional destruction of something, usually with the intent to reform or rebuild something new in its place. It’s a term that ties together underlying themes from the period in which the record was created.
While Public Memory’s prominent krautrock and trip-hop rhythms found both in 2016’s debut LP, ‘Wuthering Drum’ and 2017’s ‘Veil of Counsel’ EP are represented here, ‘Demolition’ explores a greater range of tempos and an expanse of alien emotions with layers of electronic drums, live drums, Korg synths and samples from nature. Themes of rebirth and reflection imbue the album’s atmosphere, rich in tape delay, spring reverb, and textures that conjure a sci-fi and supernatural narrative.
“I set out to make a larger, more widescreen kind of album” Toher explains. “I wanted it to feel more in focus, with harder edges, more discernable lyrics. More clarity… I wanted to explore more and go to places I hadn’t been before.”
Following on from the album’s opener and lead single The Line, there’s a meditation on impending collapse, Red Rainbow< begins with an arpeggiated melody that hints at a sense of dread. Like the darkness of night descends, the track unfolds with haunting atmospherics and howling synths, finishing with an unexpected climax that ominously builds until at last, it falls apart, quickly, softly, without incident. The slow-tempoed Aegis, described by its creator as “the blooming floral centerpiece of the album” or “the sweet interior,” reflects on the banal reality of love lost, with shuffling rhythms, lingering inflections and a growling synth at its core.
Public Memory’s music is a mixture of damaged and dubbed-out percussion, unfurling synths and sparse sampling – all strung together by producer Robert Toher’s spectral vocal. Toher’s adept use of space and tension articulates the world of ‘Demolition’ as eerie, emotive, and above all, narcotic. Each track is an existential procession. “Turning out the lights on your illusion,” Toher sings to close the album, accepting that change is an inescapable condition of being.
‘Demolition’ track list
1. The Line (stream)
2. Red Rainbow (stream)
3. Mercy
4. Falsetto
5. Aegis
6. Redeemer
7. Doorstep
8. Trick Of The Light
Public Memory tour dates
11.10 Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project +
11.12 Eugene, OR @ Luckey’s Club +
11.13 Modesto, CA @ The Shire +
11.14 San Jose, CA @ The Ritz +
11.17 Los Angeles, CA @ Pico Union Project ^
11.30 Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville +
+ w/ Devon Church
^ w/ Odonis Odonis, Ritual Howls, Devon Church, Sextile, Chasms + more
