What It is, it Isn’t
Aagoo, 2020
9/10
Listen to What It is, it Isn’t
A Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist whose history includes classical and ambient sounds, on What It Is, It Isn’t, Christopher Sky sways into a rhythmic and beat friendly delivery where he handles guitar, Rhodes piano, electronics and looping with impressive skill.
“Monochrome” starts the listen beat heavy as innovative electronica enters the dreamy setting, and “From The Start” continues the creativity with almost video games-esque manipulation that builds into a cinematic landscape.
Closer the middle, “In A Hallway” gets a bit darker in scope, but is no less alluring, while “CZ97” flows with summery melodies that sounds like it was made for glorious, warm days with the windows rolled down as vibraphone and synth radiate playfully. “Knight Of Cups”, one of the most memorable tunes, then enters a surreal tone with a mesmerizing execution that few could replicate.
Near the end, “Slowly” is anything but as the dance-rock dynamics meet electro-pop with incredible percussion, and “Travelers Theme” exits the listen full of ambient droning that’s awash in blurry, processed experimentalism.
Primarily captured on a vintage Akai 1810D reel to reel tape machine, Sky has a keen sense of texturing, and his artistic vision is highlighted well on this mood oriented and fascinating effort.
Travels well with: Subduxtion- The Black Point; Laguerre/Noetiinger- DnT