Past Present Future: Archive I
Labile, 2023
9/10
Listen to Past Present Future:Archival I
The North Carolina artist Derrick Stembridge released these 10 soulful tracks in 2023, and each selection finds its own distinct mood to reside in alongside his creative and inviting electronic ideas.
The dreamy and reflective “Origin” opens with waves of beauty and grace, and “Ghost In My Eyes” follows with dense beats and colorful synth patterns that are cinematic.
“Misunderstood” and “Facewithin” land in the middle. The former uses manipulated voices and light buzzing for the engaging electro-pop nods, while the latter is packed with sci-fi exploration that seems other worldly.
Landing close to the end, “Chameleon” moves softly with intimacy and mystery before building into a busy and textured album highlight, and “Echos Of The Setting Sun” finishes with bright moments, whispered voices and an infectious energy that you could dance to.
An extremely detailed effort that embraces ambient, electronic and industrial ideas, Stembridge pens an album or both mulling things over and an evening at the club.
Travels well will: Derrick Stembridge/Mike Petruna- Cryptic Logic; Drifting In Silence- Away