Paul Handley – Open (Digital EP – Paul Handley)
Genre/Influences: Ambient-techno.
Background/Info: Australian artist Paul Handley has already been busy for a couple of years now. I had the opportunity to discover most of his work. After the “Midnight Zone”-album released in 2018, Handley strikes back with “Open” featuring three new songs and two remixes.
Content: Paul Handley remains faithful to his sound formula, mixing electronic reverie and danceable rhythms. It remains a sonic osmosis between ambient- and techno music. The songs are instrumentals although you’ll hear passages with choir synths. “Open” is the title song and that’s a bit weird as it’s another track (cf. “Passage”), which more looks like the main song featuring 2 remixes next to the original version.
+ + + : “Open” reveals 3 new songs and it’s nearly impossible to speak about a title-cut and B-side tracks. That’s maybe why “Lonely Ocean” is my personal favorite one. I like the deep bass line and fine sequences running through this track. It perfectly stands for the sound of this artist. It also illustrates the very personal sound approach of Paul Handley who brings ambient music into a danceable dimension.
– – – : This EP is not my favorite one from Paul Handley. It remains an easy, listening experience, but I’m missing a real climax. It would be interesting to see this artist working with a vocalist. I’m sure it could create a higher dimension to the composition.
Conclusion: Even if this is not my favorite work from Paul Handley, it remains a pleasure discovering his danceable reverie.
Best songs: “Lonely Ocean”, “Open”.
Rate: (6).
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