Bricolage is an electronic net label based in Glasgow who is passionate about showcasing “unique sonic escapades”; they also produce a monthly podcast that has been running for over two years.
Dyadic is just one example of the many compilations available through this label that give you a taste of the breadth of genres on offer.
The opening track begins with breath like frequencies, the barely audible anticipatory intro is followed by an unexpected shift in pace.
In ‘Pale Blue Dot’ (Figurative and Futurendeavours) the sincerity of the voiceover is a dystopian style monologue about our world; the album itself is a compilation of artists who release under the Bricolage label.
Pulling it tight with some drum and bass Fragile X and Minerva are up next with ‘Dancing to a Different Drum’; the clicks all fall in the right places and the neat little glitches serve to keep the character of this piece alive.
Deeper we go into a more experimental, mellow realm, Dark Fidelity HiFi and Subsequent bring the calm in ‘Your Eyes That Say No’, shifting through shades of fast and slow, layered beats and isolated disdained chords.
This contrasts the build-up in the next track, which offers a more classic structure; Bacteria is eloquent in their demonstration of scintillating chords that lie low in the hierarchy of samples, while introducing little electronic patterns and clashing melodic harmonies.
Moving on with Jaffa Kid and Leit Motif, you feel like you might be swallowed up by what sounds like a mystical creature inhaling, but ‘Eehran’ takes an unexpected turn into a lo-fi, binaural beats style character; floating through sustained sounds, the pacing warble of the blips give that sense of moving out of time.
Gently, gently, ‘Numbers In The Mirror’ trickles in like a running brook, easy beats are the order of the day with Belial Pelegrim and Dark Fidelity HiFi.
Playing around with various samples is a captivating way to present the breadth of skill and interests of these guys; the interesting vocal samples break away from the waving synths to paint an interesting picture.
‘Corporation Street’ is quite the opposite, Mister Left and Roy or Bison? bring mystical rhythms that roll over on repeat, shifting marginally between chords to create and eerie congruence of both sound and mind.
Shape shifting through time, the track evolves beyond this steady pattern to expose a frank voiceover.
Rather less with a sense of desolation is ‘The Chronic’, which in a way almost juxtaposes its title; Devras Plexi and The Oscilloscope are playful in how they pump out a funky few minutes, a grand example of a crowd pleasing party tune.
Up next you have to wonder exactly what you’re going to get with ‘Turpitude’, there’s nothing-immoral sounding about this track.
It’s got a nice little flavour of 8bit drizzled with a bit of house-esque beats, there’s really nothing shady to speak of from Lo-Jacker and Loui CLeghorn.
‘Space Interpreter’ is another fairly unique number; with a greater use of instruments it’s a mish-mash of haunting strings and flowing arpeggios.
get-effect and Oscurito bring a host of variations within the track itself to offer a varied display of grandeur; the placement of the drum clicks feels opulent and very fitting.
The final track of this electronic catwalk has another soft and slow, white noise style opening, then it starts to become filled with some classic chiptune sounds.
Like the scene from an underwater adventure, ‘Outlines’ is an intriguing use of layering of sounds as From the Benthic Zone and Mute Branches bring a soothing end to this assortment of electronic prouess.
Dyadic (bc029) by Bricolage VA
Words: Rachel Cunningham
