By: Phil Johnston
M.E.S.H | facebook |
Released on July 17, 2015 via PAN
M.E.S.H. is producer James Whipple, who has been steadily building a reputation in his adopted home of Berlin and further afield. With one release for highly respected label PAN previously, his debut album Piteous Gate is now released via the label.
Since I started getting more into electronic and beat heavy music again a few years ago it’s become an obsession. However I’ve been going back to artists/albums I loved maybe 20 years ago. Pioneers who took sound manipulation, sampling and beat construction to new levels. Obvious names like Dj Shadow, Autechre, FSOL and Richard D James. While I’m not just on some retro mission and ignoring new artists, I don’t feel the need to hear EVERYTHING being released like at times with other genres. Luckily there are plenty of consistent artists/labels out there who I find rarely disappoint. However there is also a clutch of young emerging producers/artists taking things into new territories and respecting the past also.
It’s more difficult these days to truly break new ground without alienating an audience. Software and the sheer amount of people making and uploading music on the net can lead to over saturation. For myself the stuff that grabs me has a certain feeling or tone. Also important of course is to make enjoyable and exciting music. M.E.S.H ticks all the boxes and then some on his debut. I’ve already a small selection of albums that have blown me away this year, ‘Piteous Gate’ is the latest due to its brilliance and ingenuity. Whipple seems to have plenty of respect and awareness of those past pioneers mentioned earlier. That’s not to say there’s anything on Piteous Gate that sounds derivative. Far from it, at times rather than a producer Whipple seems more like a conductor of a dystopian orchestra, given the different sounds being blended.
Opener and title track begins more like a jolt of Imax audio beemed into your ears. Cinematic, with fizzes of electronics and lashes of rhythm it soon sets the tone for M.E.S.H’s approach. At under three minutes it’s amazing how much seems to be going on, yet still feels extremely controlled. Whipple used a variety of instrumentation, programming it all into his unique approach. At times there’s an almost classical sound that runs alongside more futuristic and electronic touches.
Each track brings more moments of wonder and new sounds to the table. “Thorium’ with its staggered beats and galaxy ripping effects is quickly followed by the crushing ‘The Black Pill’ The latter possibly the darkest track here and also maybe the most emotional sounding. It’s a thing of brilliance and beauty however as it cautiously weaves into your subconscious.
Some are mere snippets but equally as important as the longer ones. ‘Krititkal & X’ for example is under two minutes but contains a sampled voice “There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance”. ‘Epithet’ is one of the most accessible tracks with its rolling drumbeat and melodic flourishes that quickly give way to pounding rhythms.
It really is an astounding album and highly accomplished debut. In times where repetition and blandness can be common Piteous Gate stands apart as something special.
