Effete dreamy windpipes and happy feet tapping beats coax in the latest track by UK producer Alex Llyod, aka the Deco Child. Cryptically coded as a tribute of sorts to the inspired recording techniques practiced by Simon & Garfunkel, ‘S&G’ has a real Paul Simon, via his South African Graceland flirtation, vibe oozing through its veins.
Building on the previous Pray single, this latest vapourous melange of drifting trance-esque textures and wispy electro is another blissful release. The original 7-minute plus version swims in and out of a ether of ambient sound passages that take their lead from the rave scene of the early 90s. Giddy sped-up voices glide in and out as a cooing male vocal repeats various refrains whilst the beats build towards a more epic, electro ‘out-of-africa’, finish. An edited radio version chops out all the build-ups and anticipation, sparing nothing as it cuts to the chase.
Those smothered iridescent filters and languorous washes so prevalent in Deco Childs music is very much the vogue right now, especially with artists like Sun Glitters. None more so than the accompanying ‘Diamond Drops’ track which broodily shuffles along to a 80s soundtrack of cluttering drum pads, soulful vocal soundbites and arpeggiator droplets.
Pleasantly waltzing along on a floating tide, the Deco Childs brand of ethereal rave-pop grows on you over time. Unfortunately there is so much of this kind of material out there that it could just as easily pass by unnoticed.
Deco Child is currently working towards an eventual album.
02/07/2012
[Rating:3.5]
