Usually when I start an album review, I looking for an easy way to guide the reader in; an analogy or allegory that I can use to set the tone. This week, this task has been made difficult by Quantic’s groovy new album, Atlantic Oscillations.
The New York-based, English-born electronic producer’s 10th album as Quantic (he’s released over 20 albums when you include other aliases) certainly oscillates between various genres and styles of music. One could argue the main style is breakbeat, but there’s elements of jazz, disco, easy-listening, electronic, afrobeat and funk all mixed in.
This is what’s causing my conundrum: all of these elements gel together, but how do you describe it? The nearest comparison I can make is that many tracks have the same elements that make the Avalanches so good: fun and danceable, yet complex and interesting. I won’t be surprised if a track like “September Blues” turns up in an Avalanches DJ set soon.
“Motivic Retrograde” brings the afrobeat in hard, mixed with elements of space-age electronica that merely highlight the brilliant beat and melody. “Orquida” brings a the saxophone jazz solo atop a very head-nodding beat, providing the best parts of ’60s easy listening jazz albums.
If you’re the type of music listener who often skips tracks as you get bored of the same thing over and over, Atlantic Oscillations should hold your interest. It’s difficult to explain, but you’ll get it once you hear it.
Score: 🌊🌊🌊🌊/5
Brendan is an avid record collector from Adelaide, Australia and the man behind the @ridges_and_grooves. There are few genres he won’t listen to. His search for the best album of all time through process of elimination continues.