Vancouver native Thomas Speakman's sophomore EP under the moniker Boha, Drift, is the followup to 2013's deep sea-sounding Boil, an all-out effort written, performed and produced entirely himself, save for the aid of Justin Deveries on drums and Ridley Bishop on synthesizers on two of the tracks.
Despite being a bit of an aesthetic departure from Boil, Speakman's commitment to experimentation creates an intensely exploratory space. Opener "Drift" is the most inquisitive of the three tracks, with an engaging bass line and a sense of journey through various musical landscapes, while "Slip" is a self-assured, playful track that layers melodies and white noise to beguiling effect. Speakman takes a softer tone for closer "Losing Touch," slowing the pace with and including field recordings that play like an audible sunrise.
Drift contrasts eerie, high-pitched melodies with Deveries' "fundamentally human drum performance," which Speakman claims is part of why it's "kind of hybrid techno record." That humanity holds the distinct textures, synths and noise together here, making Drift a short but successful outing for Boha.
(Fur Trade)Despite being a bit of an aesthetic departure from Boil, Speakman's commitment to experimentation creates an intensely exploratory space. Opener "Drift" is the most inquisitive of the three tracks, with an engaging bass line and a sense of journey through various musical landscapes, while "Slip" is a self-assured, playful track that layers melodies and white noise to beguiling effect. Speakman takes a softer tone for closer "Losing Touch," slowing the pace with and including field recordings that play like an audible sunrise.
Drift contrasts eerie, high-pitched melodies with Deveries' "fundamentally human drum performance," which Speakman claims is part of why it's "kind of hybrid techno record." That humanity holds the distinct textures, synths and noise together here, making Drift a short but successful outing for Boha.
