Alex Mackay – Targazer (Album – Forwind)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, Ambient.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Alex Mackay is an artist based in Glasgow (Scotland). He composed music for visual- and theatre performances plus got involved in multiple artistic projects, being also live member of Mogwai. “Targazer” is a solo-work featuring four songs.
Content: “Targazer” clearly sounds like an Experimental exposure from an artist bringing different influences and sound sources together. The work takes of with a fusion between experimental sound treatments and Ambient atmospheres. The sound treatments are pretty harsh, which also characterizes this work. Electronic soundscapes and guitar treatments have been merged together getting close to a true soundscape, but remaining overall pretty Experimental.
+ + + : What I especially like in this work is the slow progression of the songs. The opening piece “God monitor/Screen Burn” is a remarkable exposure of the way this artist is conceiving his work. A similar approach can be noticed at “Synthetic Disaster” . It’s not only an Experimental, and pretty minimal sound, which remains rather accessible and pretty entertaining. You somewhere can hear this artist is used to writing music for visual performances.
– – – : The work remains hard to catch and I think really needs to get joined by visual arts to realize its true potential.
Conclusion: “Targazer” is an Experimental although accessible sonic voyage; the perfect osmosis between Experimental- and ambient music.
Best songs: God monitor/Screen Burn”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: https://britishmusiccollection.org.uk/composer/alex-mackay
Label: www.forwind.net / www.facebook.com/forwindings
About Alex Mackay
Alex Mackay is a composer and experimental electronic and electric guitar performer based in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he received the Craig Armstrong prize upon graduating in 2016, and has since made new work with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Red Note, Touch and the Glasgow New Music Expedition.
Beyond his solo output, Mackay performs as part of the dance and music duo The Cloud Of Unknowing and as a touring member of Mogwai. “Targazer” was released on Forwind.
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