LA ambient guitarist/producer Erik Tokle uses a combination of improvisation, multi-tracked loops, and chiming Fender Jaguars to create reverb-drenched scenes that conjure an imaginary Californian dream – a style he terms “surf ambient.” Tokle created the tracks on “The Golden Breed” using single-tracked improvisational solo guitar performances captured by a small hand-held Zoom recorder, with minimal post-processing and zero overdubs.
Dreamy psychedelic atmospherics drenched in a syrup of hazy sonic reverberation, backed with ever melancholy chords and melodies. Guitars are absolutely prevalent in arrangements which form part of an electronic genre. This leads to appreciating even more the relentless drive of Erik Tokle to remain true to his artistic vision rather than pander to the whims of a fickle audience.
Erik Tokle challenges and pushes the envelope of what can be done within the looped world of multi-layered sound and melody. The obscure and the beautiful are typical things to be experienced in moments that slowly bloom and then explode from the soundscapes of Tockle’s music. What you do get from this project are those rare moments when someone else’s music not only pervades the isolation of your own mind but also allows you to fully plunge into it.
“The Golden Breed” is foray into the realm of warm and crunchy guitar sounds; mixed gently and ever-so-emotionally over the top of summery synthetic soundscapes and slow faded, lazy beats. Subtle distortions and imperfections, add a timeless texture to the music.
Something about the 6 tracks that make up the album will transport you to memories of glary, lazy, summer days and hot, quiet summer nights. The tracks are uplifting, yet timeless in a very nostalgic way and therefore almost melancholic. The album takes you on a conceptual journey though the warmer, Technicolor tones of the rainbow.
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Those of you who are curious or who want to introduce someone to this genre of music; I strongly encourage you to purchase this album and discover the mysterious musical secrets of Erik Tokle for yourself, while he is displaying his warmest and most inviting moods.
Every track has something special about it, and the songs are most appreciated as a whole album. It’s hard for to pick standouts, as this is definitely the sort of album to listen to as a whole rather than on a quick drive to the drugstore.
Lots of gorgeous guitar work and organic sounds make “The Golden Breed” mellow, beautiful, and introspective. Subtlety and humbleness is what brings Erik Tokle to a delicate arrangement of instrumentals songs worth listening to. The album seduces you, wraps you in a blanket of sound, and carries you into another musical realm.
If you love the minimalism and the atmosphere in this album, then you have fully grasped what Erik Tockle is saying!
OFFICIAL LINKS & WEBSITES:
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