On
Maritime David Edwards combines soothing, quick paced beats with playful keyboard melodies. It sounds kind of like a techno/ambient hybrid, the music is bouncy enough to appeal to techno fans and it’s definitely relaxing enough for ambient fans to enjoy. Afer listening to the first few songs it’s also obvious that
Maritime blends pop, electronica, ambient, and the “sounds of the ocean” all together to form a slightly unique sound. Other artists have already used this formula yet Edwards music is so playful that it adds a subtle yet important aspect to the music.
The first half of
Maritime is obviously the strongest, Edwards proves that he can cover a lot of styles and atmospheres within the first few tracks.
She’s in Drydock Now blends bouncy beats with a soothing keyboard melody to create a lush and downbeat feel. Later on in the song more layers of keyboard fluff are revealed and although the overall product is slightly cheesy it is also very effective. Next up we have the single
Vigo Bay does not disappoint. It’s compelling yet chilled out beat carries on throughout most of the song yet Edwards throws in a nice chilled out guitar driven section. Although the song structure is formulaic the music sounds like something that belong in a Super Mario soundtrack, it’s playful, upbeat, and relaxing. The following track,
Six Foolish Fisherman hits you by surprise with it’s vibrating beat and subdued keyboard sparkles, it’s a smooth combination that creates an airy and hypnotic atmosphere.
While
Maritime starts off promising the second half of the album doesn’t even compare to the first half. The second portion of the album is much more downbeat and dreary, it’s not depressing yet the music is a lot more calm and subdued. Songs such as
Luck Shield and
Mistaken Tourist possess the same atmosphere as they both use sharp, laid-back electronic clips over soothing soundscapes. I can’t deny the fact that the music is very relaxing but it is also very dry and plain.
The Broads is a catchy little tune as it incorporates hand claps into the music along with bouncy keyboard jingles. It’s a nice break from the dull ambience that
Maritime goes through although it’s far from a standout. Finally the album comes to an end with
Four Magpies, a stripped down, glitchy tune that ends the album on a fairly depressing note.
Maritime would have been a more enjoyable experience if Edwards could have came up with a few more unique ideas. There are some beautiful, textured songs such as
She’s In Drydock Now and
Vigo Bay but the overall product becomes tedious and dull after a few listens. The album shows off a slightly interesting blend of upbeat electronica and downbeat ambience but there aren’t enough catchy grooves or hypnotizing keyboard lines to keep you interested. That being said
Maritime is a fairly accessible album that will appeal to someone seeking nice, fluffy electronica music.
