The speed at which electronic music can transition from
composition to release is unparalleled. As a result, new composers often fall
into the trap of releasing too much, too fast, and with too little attention
paid to detail. Xetryz’s most recent release, ‘Overflowing Emotions’, is also
his third since February of this year, and suffers from these afflictions
considerably.
Mixing trance composition, house and chiptune together,
Xetryz has managed to compose some substantial tunes, but tunes which are ultimately
let down by their production. Nowhere is this more obvious than on the album
opener, ‘On A Journey’, where the hooky and hugely layered summer-tinged motif
is drowned out over poorly mixed counter-melodies. Elsewhere, prominent melody phrases
obscure ‘Telling A Story’s seapunk vibes and the climactic moments in ‘Uplifting
Spirits’ sound messy and lifeless.
Other parts of the release also sound rushed; some of
composition, like the complete halt to momentum in the middle of ‘On A Journey’
or the grating repetition in ‘Telling A Story’ and ‘Uplifting Spirits’, sounds
slapdash and, contrary to the album’s title, superficially void of emotion.
There are good points though. The instrument choices on the
whole are great, and along with the melodies they create a summery vein which
runs throughout the release. The trancechip euphoria of ‘On A Journey’ is definitely
the releases’ highlight, and ‘Telling A Story’ has some great seapunk melodies
hidden behind its garish production.
Overall, the album has some great melodies, but their
presentation musically tends to dampen their effect. Whilst moments hit home,
mostly in the first half of the release, other parts stutter around helplessly,
hiding the pearls underneath unfinished and rushed production. ‘Overflowing
Emotions’ is a promising, but ultimately flawed piece of work.
Favourite track: On A Journey
Grab the whole release here.
Tracklist:
1. On A Journey
2. Telling A Story
3. Uplifting Spirits
