Datahowler "Slowdrifter"

In a time when the US seems to be ignoring the space program and basically eliminating any federal money, the fascination with the great unknown that is our universe (and those beyond) continues to grow. You disagree with me? Well, then I present to you Datahowler's debut album "Slowdrifter." What does this album have to do with the vastness of space? Very simply the sound and feel of the album, not to mention the cover art. I have listened to this album with through my headphones in the dark and I feel like I am on a wondrous journey through the cosmos, at times even through time (but that could be the Doctor Who obsession.) A few things need to be said about this album before the track by track analysis, one being that Datahowler decided to use live instruments to record this album instead of relying on samples so bravo for that. Another is this is an instrumental album that at no time needs vocals (besides in the background), in fact if any MC not named Kool Keith decided to rap over them, they would fail miserably.

The album begins with "Dazees" a slow building song that adds layer after layer until around the 1 minute mark when the full glory of the song begins to hit you, before disappating and transforming multiple times. Think of a Flaming Lips song on a rocket ship that meets with some good old funk while having chopped up vocals act as extraterrestrial activity. Or you could take the easy way out and listen to the track at the end of the review, your choice.

The journey continues with the bell and horn focused (with drums for that nice hit) "Lunarson" featuring Juno Complex. It feels as if stars are falling around you as the bell's gently ring and you fall deeper into space with each blow of the trumpet before the strings and heavenly voice stabilize you and you can just enjoy the ride. Before you can leave this magical "Lunarson" you must first revisit it (the track is "Lunarson (Revisited)" see what I did there?) in a more up tempo almost dance speed as the gravitation pull of the moon planet increases and then lands you gently on the surface.

Just as the track fades you are greeted by the hard kicks of "Moon Diamond Mining" which sounds like a group of miners hacking away at the rocks while some sort of sonic device howls all around them. Once again, Datahowler uses an enchanting voice to add to the ethereal feel of the track, but is careful to make sure it doesn't last too long because before you know it you are back the the miners and the cycle repeats itself until only the voice and a slight humming remains. Then there is success as you hear the shine of the "Crystal Unearthed." After this a lonely guitar and piano take you throughout the rest of the track.

"Atom Blues" reminds me of a great r and b song that you know but never heard before, with just the right sci-fi twist. Almost makes you feel comfortable in a far away and distant area, but there is a certain uneasiness that continues to creep into the song before totally breaking through at the end and you realize just why: you are preparing for a "Space Jump." It begins with some gentle drums before a distorted synth warps your system and throws you a bit, at least until the piano comes in to stabilize you a bit before returning to more synths, but this is what one expects while trapped in a space jump.

An early 80's Prince sound hits you when "Voltage" begins and takes you on a quick and thoroughly enjoyable trip before you end up "Lurching Forward" which surprising is not as jolting as you would expect. It as rather gentle but continuous, inching up slowly. The conga drums and Spanish guitar (with a sprinkling of synths) creates a great atmosphere and makes you not upset at all at pace of your travel.

The calming feeling continues, this time without any jerkiness, on "Of Stars" with multiple instruments creating a beat that increases in speed and tenacity without ever going too out there, then takes a slight turn as instruments drop out and reappear as you begin to navigate through various stars. Until you are traveling "From Suns" in one of the smoothest transitions you will hear from one song to another (as it should be since a sun is a star) but you can feel each instrument more as you are closer and closer to the source and have less interference from others.

"Prophet" begins with a fading and twisting haunting voice and synths as though you are encountering some otherworldly being. The sound cleans itself up as the voice dissipates leaving just some great synth work before the voice and distorting feeling returns, again and again, almost like a conversation. As "Heatstroke" starts you think you know exactly where the song is going until around the 30 second mark Datahowler adds another layer that just builds on the previous section so well it creates the sensation of you rising higher and higher before it rather abruptly ends.

"Data/Lapse" closes the album with a rather haunting intro (in sci-fi terms) before the drums kick in the the intensity increases even more. Datahowler uses multiple techniques and sounds (instruments) that are heard no where else on the record for most of the song. This helps to establish the reality that a final resolution is occurring, everything is being gathered and processed, piece by piece until eventually everything fades.

With each listen of "Slowdrifter" I debate just how much of a story it is suppose to tell and the more I pay attention the greater the details become. Obviously Datahowler meant to create a common theme and feel for the album, a sort of outer space sci-fi adventure, but I believe you are going on a journey of discovery throughout the universe. No matter if my ramblings on this are correct or not, one thing I am sure of is Datahowler created a fantastic album that will transport you from wherever you are to the outer realms of time and space to which you will want to return again and again.

Dazees by Datahowler

You can stream and download the album here