If you were a fan of part I and were expecting more of the same, do not be deterred by the unfamiliar flavor of part II. To begin with, Fishman trades ambient whooshing sounds for distorted guitar and builds up beats that you can really dance to. It’s like listening to an entirely new record and yet together, part I and II are an example of how the whole is greater than its parts.

The opening track and single “Over & Out” is an instant album highlight. In the music video, a blinking eye on an old-school television screen twitches to dirty guitars and dark ambient synth. If you ever wondered what would happen if Dave Gilmour teamed up with Aphex Twin, we are assuming it would sound a little something like this.

The subsequent track “Tube (Hijack of the Northern Line”) has a heavy London feel. It captures a pulsing thirst for adventure during the evening commute. “Pump (The Whitfield Effect)” toys with an array of unusual sounds and plays with genre left, right and center. You can hear in this section of the album that Paul is having fun with his music. His soundscape is a canvas filled with surprising elements and this experimental crisscrossing of genres will likely divide electronic music fans down the middle.

“Quantun World” on the other hand, has a wind-down feel like the early morning of a rave. Like the subsequent track “For Eva”, this section of the album has a more melancholic, dark ambient feel. “Sixty-4” is also slower and more atmospheric. It is this part of the album where we can hear the influence of Paul’s film composition days.

The album closer “Exit – Before & After Life” is the perfect end to a well-rounded double-album. The nine-minute track combines a range of elements from across the record, mixing atmospheric ambiance with swirly synths and gritty guitar. It’s like the climactic closing track of a dramatic movie and it is a testament to Paul’s eclectic and impressive career as a producer, composer, and musician. We just hope that this isn’t the last we hear from Paul Fishman.

4.5/5

The post “It’s About Time, Part II” Review appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s About Time marks Fishman’s first solo electronic album in 15 years. It proclaims to combine electronic music with different sounds at the “risk of defying genre” (via the official website) and creating something new. But does the record deliver?

The opening track “Rise” plays with deep house, techno-esque tropes, and something a little funkier. It would take an electronic veteran to categorize the track by genre. Interestingly, the result is not something that sounds contrived or disjointed. “Rise” keeps it groovy and stays right on the beat.

“Born To Synthesise” is an album highlight. It’s got that “Fools Gold” feel with chilled beats that pull you into a wavey space. “Poppycorn Visits The Tate” is also a great tune. Fishman plays with unusual sounds and solid beats to create music that keeps on giving. It has that Jamiroquai funkiness while keeping up that festival “dance tent” vibe.

The album’s titular track, “It’s About Time” slows it down with synths. It’s slower, tamer, and seems to be inspired by Fishman’s time writing film scores. The track would probably benefit from being accompanied by visuals as it is possibly a little long for an interlude. That said, it ties in well with “Anthem For Galacia”. If Arctic Monkeys claim Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was inspired by the Blade Runner era of cinema, they should listen to the mid-section of It’s About Time.

“Alone” keeps up the ambience and “Let There Be Light” brings together the different sounds on the album for an innovative finale. It’s funky, creative, and a tactful reminder that electronic music is definitively not limited to dubstep. So yes, Paul Fishman’s new album is right to claim it thinks outside the box. The average electronic music fan is going to have a pretty hard time classifying the record by genre. And it’s also electronic music that your dad would probably like. So that’s good too.

4.5/5

The post Paul Fishman’s “It’s About Time, Part I” is a Daring Electronic Album appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

If you were a fan of part I and were expecting more of the same, do not be deterred by the unfamiliar flavor of part II. To begin with, Fishman trades ambient whooshing sounds for distorted guitar and builds up beats that you can really dance to. It’s like listening to an entirely new record and yet together, part I and II are an example of how the whole is greater than its parts.

The opening track and single “Over & Out” is an instant album highlight. In the music video, a blinking eye on an old-school television screen twitches to dirty guitars and dark ambient synth. If you ever wondered what would happen if Dave Gilmour teamed up with Aphex Twin, we are assuming it would sound a little something like this.

The subsequent track “Tube (Hijack of the Northern Line”) has a heavy London feel. It captures a pulsing thirst for adventure during the evening commute. “Pump (The Whitfield Effect)” toys with an array of unusual sounds and plays with genre left, right and center. You can hear in this section of the album that Paul is having fun with his music. His soundscape is a canvas filled with surprising elements and this experimental crisscrossing of genres will likely divide electronic music fans down the middle.

“Quantun World” on the other hand, has a wind-down feel like the early morning of a rave. Like the subsequent track “For Eva”, this section of the album has a more melancholic, dark ambient feel. “Sixty-4” is also slower and more atmospheric. It is this part of the album where we can hear the influence of Paul’s film composition days.

The album closer “Exit – Before & After Life” is the perfect end to a well-rounded double-album. The nine-minute track combines a range of elements from across the record, mixing atmospheric ambiance with swirly synths and gritty guitar. It’s like the climactic closing track of a dramatic movie and it is a testament to Paul’s eclectic and impressive career as a producer, composer, and musician. We just hope that this isn’t the last we hear from Paul Fishman.

4.5/5

The post “It’s About Time, Part II” Review appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s About Time marks Fishman’s first solo electronic album in 15 years. It proclaims to combine electronic music with different sounds at the “risk of defying genre” (via the official website) and creating something new. But does the record deliver?

The opening track “Rise” plays with deep house, techno-esque tropes, and something a little funkier. It would take an electronic veteran to categorize the track by genre. Interestingly, the result is not something that sounds contrived or disjointed. “Rise” keeps it groovy and stays right on the beat.

“Born To Synthesise” is an album highlight. It’s got that “Fools Gold” feel with chilled beats that pull you into a wavey space. “Poppycorn Visits The Tate” is also a great tune. Fishman plays with unusual sounds and solid beats to create music that keeps on giving. It has that Jamiroquai funkiness while keeping up that festival “dance tent” vibe.

The album’s titular track, “It’s About Time” slows it down with synths. It’s slower, tamer, and seems to be inspired by Fishman’s time writing film scores. The track would probably benefit from being accompanied by visuals as it is possibly a little long for an interlude. That said, it ties in well with “Anthem For Galacia”. If Arctic Monkeys claim Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was inspired by the Blade Runner era of cinema, they should listen to the mid-section of It’s About Time.

“Alone” keeps up the ambience and “Let There Be Light” brings together the different sounds on the album for an innovative finale. It’s funky, creative, and a tactful reminder that electronic music is definitively not limited to dubstep. So yes, Paul Fishman’s new album is right to claim it thinks outside the box. The average electronic music fan is going to have a pretty hard time classifying the record by genre. And it’s also electronic music that your dad would probably like. So that’s good too.

4.5/5

The post Paul Fishman’s “It’s About Time, Part I” is a Daring Electronic Album appeared first on Hot Pop Today.