Review Summary: Expermiental EDM which sees the return to action for the already veteran 18 year old producer
Vexare – a name which fits right into the EDM billing of today’s world. It’s a bright, single word with a bit of evoke but not too complicated for people to forget. Pretty similar to Klaypex or Xilent or Cryptex or Zepfire (argh)….. Who, in the 2014 Spotify music era release a 5-4 track ep and then crawls onto youtube before the crack of dawn.
So after 3 ep’s over the span of 2 years - Palmer N. Hogen (Vexare) has turned 18. He started studying classical piano at 9 and went into producing trance and hardstyle by 12. If you have been following the EDM/dubtep scene for a while you might have come across his magnum opus called “the clockmaker” which starts off with a slow piano build up to your usual 2 beat 128 bpm but what actually happens post is anything but average; it’s stunning. Not the most unique but the musician inside Palmer does come out glaring exquisitely. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea; some might say its tetris/contra being played on steroids but it is indeed majestic through and through. He was 15 when he wrote it.
So what does he have in store for us with his 4th album? Well to get things started horizons kicks off with a 2 so minute’s piano ballad "on the near horizon" which has chord progression I would expect from hanz zimmer or the cinematic orchestra written for the next scenic reminisce; it’s undeniably beautiful but by the 2 min mark he’s working into a fine transition to "across the pond" which would even raise camel or rush’s eyebrows with a pat on the back just for the improvisation! I had yet to hear one of them 'soothing piano piece into chill-step' and it did not disappoint! The song however does slog on at times but it is meticulously enjoyable. The experimentation continues with "cold pasta" which I have to admit is not hear or not there. Though it’s got some interesting bass use, drops and drum timings; it’s not enough to keep me amused. Onto "Billy and the whale" which sounds like a collaboration between the seatbelts and koan sound; much more engaging. The 2nd last song - "vanishing point" is a return to a more measurable EDM song with the little bleeps, use of vocal chops and techno piano. We are finally left with "Thrownness" and it is a really really good track to end the ep with; the main melody is blinding, the marching into hip hop cowbellish drums and grand piano use is marvellous.
I like the gist of Vexare’s musicianship. He is bold, experimental and talented. Even though there are downsides and lag to some of it horizons is definatly worth a spin!
