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LP
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OO 001LP
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LP version. Coming together over three years since his critically acclaimed last album (2013), Hyetal completes his transformation from off-kilter dance music producer to futurist pop visionary on Youth & Power. "Previously my approach to writing music was very rooted in escapism," says David Corney, aka Hyetal. "I began experiencing a sense of detachment in my life which led me to question how healthy this approach was. I wanted music to help me feel connected again." Wrenching his music free from the "confines of computer grids" and pushing melody to the forefront, Youth & Power's texturally rich, psychedelic palette is littered with live played synths, electric guitars, drum machines, processed noise, and "some under-loved '70s home keyboards" recorded at Hyetal's South London home studio. "I'd describe it as experimental pop music," says Hyetal, "the sound is in part a return to music I was listening to as a kid, more song- and instrument-based." Youth & Power is Hyetal's debut as a vocalist, also scrapping samples in favor of live instrumentation and hook-laden songwriting laced with myriad influences. "I took some time out to teach myself how to sing using an app on my phone. At first I found my vocals worked best for me when there was some distance from the natural sound of my voice so everything was abstracted through a few different processes." he explains, "As I became more comfortable singing I decided I wanted to contrast this approach and use some natural sounding vocals that embraced the imperfections." The album strikes a balance between robotic Kraftwerkian simplicity and soulful organic pop, contrasting the various pitch-shifting and abstracting vocal effects with sharply concise lyrics. Semblances of Hyetal's origins in Bristol's early dubstep movement are still present too, deep inside the album's meticulous rhythm beds. Elsewhere, chiming retro keyboard notes and drum machine beats at times recall the likes of Yellow Magic Orchestra contrasting against waves of guitars and noise which bring to mind the influence of Bauhaus and other post punk experimentalists. Written as a form of catharsis for Hyetal in his search to return his music from detachment, Youth & Power seeps a sense of hope. "I found from a distance the most immediate workings of humanity can appear extremely brutal," says Hyetal, "but when looking through this lens you miss the beauty that happens in the moment."
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CD
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OO 001CD
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Coming together over three years since his critically acclaimed last album (2013), Hyetal completes his transformation from off-kilter dance music producer to futurist pop visionary on Youth & Power. "Previously my approach to writing music was very rooted in escapism," says David Corney, aka Hyetal. "I began experiencing a sense of detachment in my life which led me to question how healthy this approach was. I wanted music to help me feel connected again." Wrenching his music free from the "confines of computer grids" and pushing melody to the forefront, Youth & Power's texturally rich, psychedelic palette is littered with live played synths, electric guitars, drum machines, processed noise, and "some under-loved '70s home keyboards" recorded at Hyetal's South London home studio. "I'd describe it as experimental pop music," says Hyetal, "the sound is in part a return to music I was listening to as a kid, more song- and instrument-based." Youth & Power is Hyetal's debut as a vocalist, also scrapping samples in favor of live instrumentation and hook-laden songwriting laced with myriad influences. "I took some time out to teach myself how to sing using an app on my phone. At first I found my vocals worked best for me when there was some distance from the natural sound of my voice so everything was abstracted through a few different processes." he explains, "As I became more comfortable singing I decided I wanted to contrast this approach and use some natural sounding vocals that embraced the imperfections." The album strikes a balance between robotic Kraftwerkian simplicity and soulful organic pop, contrasting the various pitch-shifting and abstracting vocal effects with sharply concise lyrics. Semblances of Hyetal's origins in Bristol's early dubstep movement are still present too, deep inside the album's meticulous rhythm beds. Elsewhere, chiming retro keyboard notes and drum machine beats at times recall the likes of Yellow Magic Orchestra contrasting against waves of guitars and noise which bring to mind the influence of Bauhaus and other post punk experimentalists. Written as a form of catharsis for Hyetal in his search to return his music from detachment, Youth & Power seeps a sense of hope. "I found from a distance the most immediate workings of humanity can appear extremely brutal," says Hyetal, "but when looking through this lens you miss the beauty that happens in the moment."
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12"
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ACREMIX 001EP
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This is the last broadcast from the acclaimed debut album from Hyetal (ACRE 002CD/LP). Featuring his own kick drum-driven reanimation of album favorite "Searchlight," discordant keys and angular synth-work keep it equally matched for dancefloor and headphones. On the flip is the massive noir epic re-rub from current indie-dance hotboys Stay+, who stretch the original to its limits, creating a moody and atmospheric anti-anthem.
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12"
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ACRE 025EP
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"Diamond Islands" is the title track and the lead single from Hyetal's debut album Broadcast. Hyetal effortlessly combine such diverse influences as John Carpenter, Boards Of Canada, early '90s computer games and Prince with the sound system dynamics of cutting-edge UK bass music. Boddika provides the re-rub, a low-slung, rolling arpeggio diced with vocal cuts and a propulsive 4/4 rhythm.
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10"
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ACRE 027EP
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Limited edition one-sided 10" -- 300 copies only. Massive remix from the two Black Acre heavyweights.
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CD
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ACRE 002CD
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This is the debut album from Hyetal aka David Corney. A key player in the new wave of underground dance music, Bristol-based Hyetal has grabbed the attention of many with a series of acclaimed off-kilter dancefloor releases on Punch Drunk, Planet Mu and Orca. Broadcast sees the producer recalibrate his sound for an exploration of the album format, shifting focus to shorter pieces and at times traditional song structure, effortlessly combining such diverse influences as John Carpenter, Boards Of Canada, early '90s computer games and Prince yet retaining the sound system dynamics of cutting-edge UK bass music. The album rejects the glistening clarity so easily obtained with digital technology and swells with analog noise, disembodied voices and a twisted sense of space. At certain points, the field recordings and atmosphere nearly take the forefront, as if the music was already synched to a film, the audio track from a lost '80s neo-noir. "Diamond Islands" sets the tone perfectly -- ominous synths, crackle and bass stabs underpin the breathy vocals of Alison Garner, punctuated by caustic kicks and snares. "The Chase" highlights a different side -- opening with tape hiss and a low drone, it quickly expands into a dark soundscape of menacing arpeggios and haunting strings, calling to mind the atmospheric work of the aforementioned John Carpenter at his best. We mustn't forget "Phoenix," however; Hyetal's calling card from 2010 that set the heart of journalists, bloggers and the audience alight with its widescreen soaring melodies and infectious bass line -- truly an example of 21st century machine soul. Hyetal represents a new wave of post-Blake dark/light musicians sitting comfortably in a world populated by both Oneohtrix Point Never, Games and Salem. Broadcast is a truly seismic achievement and is sure to cement Hyetal's status as one of the most exciting new producers of recent times -- able to both ignite dancefloors and excite armchair enthusiasts.
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12"
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ORCA 002EP
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"Phoenix" is arguably Hyetal's boldest attempt at production so far, drawing heavy influence from '80s classics from Prince and even Phil Collins. The synth-work features several different tones and leads, switching up the vibe throughout. "Like Silver" carries layers of intricate synth-work combined with a blend of organic, rolling percussion. A perfect tune for the heads or the DJs who like to take it deeper. Strong DJ support from Mary Anne Hobbs, Untold, Jackmaster, Ben UFO, amongst others.
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