description

The Indie Electronic Music of 1000psi



One of the perks of reviewing independent music is the discovery of a heretofore unknown musician whose work possesses distinct charm and enthralling promise.

1000psi (aka Paul Garlits) is such an indie band. There are two releases, one featuring lively pop tuneage, and another that superbly explores a darker side of contemporary EM.



1000psi: 1000psi (CDR on 1000psi Records) This release from 2009 offers 57 minutes of spry electronic pop music. Lush keyboards and snappy e-perc generate a bouncy temperament in which an electronic mien is applied to pop tunes. The electronics are often simple, but that simplicity actually works to the music’s advantage. Growling textures are tempered by relatively shrill leads. Those leads tend to be key-driven with fingers nimbly triggering pleasant riffs that sparkle with an affable charm. The percussion is wholly electronic. Sometimes the beats sound natural, but the majority of the rhythms are expressed in a manner that is distinctly synthetic. Again, the music literally benefits from this artificiality. Guitar provides a sultry snarl for a few pieces. The riffs are relaxed, yet vivid with a delightful puissance. These compositions possess a wry cheer that is laced with somber intonations, balancing that joy with cerebral sobriety. While the instrumentation tends to be elementary, the sounds are used to express melodies of thoughtful depth and animated complexity. A few tracks explore more sedate territory, but even here the mood is optimistic instead of dark.

genres

1. Indie      2. Trance