Brooklyn-based Public Memory has shared Zig Zag, the latest single from his forthcoming debut, ‘Wuthering Drum,’ which will be out March 18th via felte. Zig Zag offers a more beat-led urgency & intensity to the previous, more laid back, dub-infused singles, Lunar and Ringleader. Take a listen to Zig Zag via Soundcloud below.
Public Memory is the solo project of Brooklyn’s Robert Toher, recorded over the course of a year when he lived in Los Angeles temporarily. Previously of the group ERAAS, Robert places a greater emphasis on electronics in this new project. Rhythm is at the forefront, with the tone informed by stripped down, narcotic impressions of krautrock, hypnotic percussion, and subtly layered atmospherics.
To call it minimal would, on the surface, seem appropriate. Wuthering Drum does not need an abundance of flashes and frills to illustrate its point, nor does it need smoke and mirrors to mask a lack of vision. However, repeated listens yield layers of tonal variations, textural nuance, and tastefully placed overdubs. The Korg MS-20 does the lions share of tonal work, but listen carefully to the percussion and try to see where electronic ends, organic begins, and vice-versa.
There’s a slightly religious or spiritual element at ‘Wuthering Drums’ core; a sense of being in an existential crisis, while simultaneously being uplifted, in the face of change. The focus is on a kind of renewal, but not in the New Age, aggressively positive sense. This is the search for redemption in a far away place, away from comfort; it’s adjustment to an inner dissonance, rather than the washing over of past fears and regrets with sterile holy waters.
Track listing:
Heir
Mirror
Ringleader
Domino
Cul De Sac
As Your Wish
Interfaith
Zig Zag
Earwig
Lunar
‘Wuthering Drum’ is out March 18th, it can be pre-ordered now via the felte webstore.
