A Lot on My Crate

So, I didn’t know much about DJ/electronic producer, Cahl Sel from San Francisco. Jasper Sharp going under the moniker of Cahl Sel, has performed at the back of DJ venues or radio broadcasts for quite some time. On his website, he has archived his past gigs that vary from a chill atmosphere to groovy house. Listening to these streams made me believe he knows his craft. I discovered him through high praises from Pitchfork (RIP) on the album and was curious on how this IDM record made them tick. As of right now, he has two EPs under his belt and this album being his debut. Being a fan of IDM and wanting more works like the Animatronics album by Rolando Simmons that I wrote about, I ventured into Traces. And what I got after listening to the opening track was something so gratifying, I knew this record was going to be something special. This all electronic record front to back has some of the most amazing melodies and percussive elements that just soothes the soul. Ambient techno being the heart of this project is such a treat for the ones who want to be engaged into the danceable music, but being put at ease as well. Even the interludes can be enticing. One other album that I recall that takes me into the same headspace was Skee Mask’s iconic Pool as fans of that album would definitely vibe with this one. The whole thing is cosmic, catchy, punchy, and meditative as this album is encased behind glass that you can break for emergencies if one feels down. I beseech you to listen to this and much serotonin will fill your mental cup.

“Blink” is such a great entry to the pearly gates as we start with these tapered pad fills that feels like a dance floor along with these hand claps. However, “Blink” does a rug pull and a light with its lens flare has shined down on us with this elongated glossy synth lead that sets the mood of the rest of the album. This is the kind of music that heals the soul. “Call to Mind”‘s synth leads are straight out of a planetarium and is reminiscent to works of old works of µ-Ziq. The swelling of this track going back and forth as well as these squelchy sounds near the end adds to the exoticism showing this world has its own nature. “Livin” being short as it is, was very moving and is a great bridge to the mellow “Clear” track. I feel very nostalgic with “Clear” with the hi-hats being delicate as they are and whatever synth recipe Sharp has used to keep up the otherworldly aesthetic. It’s all layered perfectly with many different textures just floating in the air. Whatever soundscape Sharp has achieved on “The Game” is nothing short of spectacular as we get triangles and wind chimes as well as this sound pack that has this sort of howling air that adds to the mystery of this place. The percussive elements have been removed on “Regeneration” as we have crackling radio static and these ambient sounds that come and fade. This cascading arc of this track is a must listen for ambient heads. It sounds like something Paulline Anna Strom would compose or be a fan of. In the next track “Halflife”, what initially sounds like muted hi-hats that emulate spoons to become this track’s heartbeat. This ominous drone in the background makes it haunting, but you don’t feel in danger in anyway shape or form. Then this upbeat acid synth comes in and the tension just floats away. The kicks come in and you just imagine all the wildlife in this strange world just living their best life. “Halflife” has turned into such a fun bop and the bouncy synth leads make it the most danceable out of all of these tracks. Then this small interlude that is the bridge for the next track is one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard of this year. You have these fluttering electronics and grandiose horns coming in like a warm welcome. It sounds like I’m below a spaceship about to be beamed into the sky. It kind of emulates an orchestra warm up if I do say so myself. Sharp didn’t need to go this hard on an interlude, but it’s one of the most memorable things from this album and so damn cinematic. Another favorite of mine is “Left Eye” being it sounds like a VHS nightcore aesthetic painted within a science museum. The sound just eases you into visualizing the future that has been provided for you. The future! Behold! The heartbeat is set in rhythm with pads and hi-hats on “Alone” and these bright synthesizer soundscapes are such great components to be admired as they are all in perfect harmony within each other. We end things strong with “Leaf” taking us in orbit of any planet you can summon in your head. Despite the synth leads making you feel like a speck on the black sea, you don’t feel anxiety, but serenity. It’s a great one to close with it being so peaceful.

Some misses are present on this album for me, because it either sounds too esoteric that it has no effect on me or the melodies aren’t crafted as well as they are compared to the other tracks. “Ancient and Distant” did sound like a clashing mess to me. Its layering kind of takes me out of the tranquil atmosphere Sharp has achieved in other tracks. However, the album as a whole still succeeds in world building.

I am so ecstatic on what Cahl Sel will provide next. Traces is calming music that doesn’t make you lethargic. It’s old school IDM without being too derivative. It conjures imagery of outer space that we want to get lost in. This is one of the most beautiful albums in my scope that has moved me to a different spiritual plane. In an interview with Thoughts of a Certain Sound, Sharp has stated this project took four months to produce, but embellished it to his vision for many more years. He sounds like he cares much about how his art would look as a whole and you can tell how meticulous he is in trimming and pruning this ethereal entity. He states there’s not really an order that is necessary of these tracks to listen to, but nevertheless the order is perfect and his father who is also an electronic producer (Spacetime Continuum) has helped him out too. I’m smashing that follow button on Cahl Sel, as I’m booking another trip to another dimension. His dimension.

FAVORITE TRACKS: BLINK, CLEAR, THE GAME, REGENERATION, HALFLIFE, RHIZOMA, LEFT EYE, ALONE, LEAF

LEAST FAVORITE: ANCIENT AND DISTANT

https://cahlsel.bandcamp.com/album/traces

You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and his album is available on YouTube.