Review Summary: Counting sheeps to get to sleeps
In a relatively short span of time, young whippersnapper Iglooghost has cultivated quite the niche for himself in Brainfeeder’s expansive repertoire of artists with his infectious sound and quirky aesthetics. Behind the man’s vaguely
kawaii bleeps and bloops lied a profound understanding for sound, and many have been used throughout iglooghost’s discography.
Chinese Nu Year and this year’s
Little Grids showcased a fresh-sounding brand of vowel-DM that housed a creamy hip-hop core within its faintly chiptuney shell. Taking note of this after 2 releases, Iglooghost decided to show fans that there’s more to him than as he puts it, “liking shit that’s only 9999999999 BPM” and release a tape of self-proclaimed sleeping music.
Snoring (Music to Sleep to) marks a drastic change in Iglooghost’s trademark energy, replacing it with a singular movement of subdued, slow-burning mix of piano and electronics that could easily guide you into a fluffy land of dreams. In fact, due to the interesting progression of the piece,
Snoring seems to have two objectives, lull you to sleep, then manipulate your dreams. The first objective is achieved in the first half of the piece, with a soothing mixture of electro-strings and piano not unlike something the great Sigur Ros would conjure up. As simplistic as it is in nature, one can’t deny the supreme tranquility the music evokes. Subtle shifts in tone prevent this portion of
Snoring from becoming mere white noise but the tone never gets so dynamic as to ruin its purpose. Around halfway through the piece, you’re sound asleep and
Snoring begins its second objective. Iglooghost employs a bevy of playful flutes which dance over a quick piano melody that instantly stir up a myriad of lighthearted visions. Iglooghost’s infatuation with Studio Ghibli’s work is evident throughout the second portion of
Snoring as the man’s unique touch gels seamlessly with both the theme of sleeping and the often bizarre worlds in Studio Ghibli’s films. Subtle shifts are used in the second half as well which coalesce into a climax of sorts as
Snoring draws to its conclusion. The entirely of the piece feeling more like a dreamy journey than anything else. Whether or not
Snoring (Music to Sleep to) will actually put listeners to sleep will of course be determined individually but what Iglooghost has done is show the community that he’s no one trick pony, he’s more like a Pegasus flying through the clouds with elves dancing on his wings.
