LogFAQs > #976299703

31. STAFFcirc - STAFFcirc vol. 8 - circle
Digital Fusion, IDM, Electronic Dance Music, Progressive Electronic, Nu Jazz
2023

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/3/4/AAeDEnAAE30y.jpg

@sergiocornaga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLTMEriOHFQ

1. the long line
2. Calculations
3. Drum Circle

https://sexytoadsandfrogsfriendcircle.bandcamp.com/track/the-long-line

Trying something different with circle. sergio told me that this album is basically a continuous mix without a definite beginning or end. Instead of giving out a top three, or even talking about individual songs, Im going to talk about the album itself as one long, seamless song. Ive provided a top three for completenesss sake but I spoilered it; feel free to ignore it if you wish.

circle starts out energetic, with compelling synths and a delightful melody. Around 5:30 the pace picks up with frenetic movement, slowing down around 7:00 as if the song has run a marathon. What follows is a cooldown with 90s ass sounding synths. The experience in this section is lovely. The melody here isnt as strong, but the powerful electronic strings propel this section forward. Around 8:50 theres a big crescendo that slinks back into more subdued, more tentative territory; the e-strings are particularly evocative here.

Around 9:45 there are CHIMES. I like CHIMES. Chimes and chippy beeps. 10:40 is a mixture of those fake strings but also some chippy stuff too. This section is also contemplative, but Im not connecting with it as much as before. 12:15 introduces some ominous glitch; I really like this section. Its very different from the previous section but the transitions have been pretty seamless. Aaaaaahhhhh the song is getting faster oh nooooo. Really making my heart rate go up! Around 15:30 a new movement arises, transitioning from evil glitch to something resembling the contemplative synths from before, though faster. 16:45 we start a Sonic CD ass part: very pop, some vocals, much love. Something about the preciseness and articulations of the syllables of these calculations in my mind makes me happy. The movement that starts around 19:30 sort of suffers from treading over some of the same ground as before, though I do like the weird time signatures.

23:00 is sudden electronic middle eastern music which seems to come out of nowhere (but still works for me, the surprise is welcome). 25:45 breaks from the energetic pace and turns inward again. Theres an interesting flow to circle, a pull and push between fast and slow. Sometimes the two forces work together. Sometimes they stand apart. But they both exist in harmony all throughout the piece.

30:05 is a nice transition, wow. A very different part of the song, big on beats. Im not as grabbed by circles later parts as I am with the earlier stuff; maybe some more variety would help me there. Of course as soon as I say that theres 32:00, with an intense burst of energy, culminating in some glitch and keyboards. Just when I thought circle was running out of ideas, this happens. Always happy to be proven wrong

We end on the reprise of the first movement, right back where we started. What a cool experience! Im glad for such a nontraditional nomination.