Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the official CD release of the new album On by German experimental ambient artist Markus Mehr. The album forms the second part of a triptych that also includes recent release In and the forthcoming Off.
On is a continuation of the experimental direction of Markus Mehr’s previous releases, with eight diverse tracks employing samples, field recordings and slathers of Mehr’s trademark distorted drones. This approach is apparent right from opener ‘Gonna Make You Mine’, as scything slashes of sound leap from the speakers. Single ‘Flaming Youth’ counterbalances fragments of static against a gorgeous sleepy-eyed loop of mangled lounge-jazz. A track as expansive and moving as ‘Duck Became Swan’ is followed by brief rhythmic piece ‘Olympia’. This tightrope walk between dizzying samples and exacting digital manipulation is walked with aplomb throughout On’s adventurous and thrilling 45-minute runtime.
“ … prepare for a shuddering, near chaotic, kaleidoscopic experience as Mehr challenges our and his own preconceptions of what “electronica” is, what it represents and of what his instrumentation can achieve…. Mehr creates soundscapes of epic grandeur, intersperses them with bursts of pure noise, then adds touches of absurdist humor to further complicate his already intricate creations.” – DOA reviewing ON
“…with On, Germany’s Markus Mehr is really on ~ in fact, this is the best thing we’ve ever heard from him. ” – A Closer Listen reviewing ON
On is available now on CD and in MP3 and FLAC digital formats. The CD version of the release comes as a limited edition (pressing of 200) numbered, 4 panel wallet CD designed by Stuart Medley with an immediate album download. Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all orders and a full album stream.