Mysteries’ latest from Melbourne-based producer Mosam Howieson falls somewhere between realms — percussive, deep techno and airy ambient — eventually landing in a liminal, stunning, undefinable space. From the wispy, tentacled opener “Explorations” to the IDM-leaning stunner “Cerebro,” Howison’s Aphelion is an intentional experiment in world building, and the world he’s built is a landscape brimming with a potent confluence of retro-futurist sounds, genres, and textures.

Aphelion refers to the point at which a planet is furthest from the sun. Despite the inherent darkness in this concept and its release coming in the wake of a turbulent year, Howieson assures us that he’s far from cynical: in fact, he says the album is “about coming back to the light.” Whether it's the acidic arpeggiation, airy pads, or intricately woven percussion that gets us there, Aphelion is emotionally transportive. In certain tracks, 80’s-influenced synth melody provides the teeth — the LP is not overly percussive, nor is it strictly ambient. Tracks like the IDM-tinged “Cerebro” showcase Howieson’s take on ethereal, breakbeat-influenced techno: airtight percussion and well-placed acid make this a standout. Howieson’s more rhythmic cuts are balanced by beat-less ones; “Low Orbit,” for example, is a dense cloud of a track, sweeping like ominous fog over a valley. But it isn’t long before we’re back above the clouds again with “Dream Sequence” and the title track, whose taut synth melodies and minimal, reverb-soaked percussion give power and depth to the overarching vision of the LP. In listening, there’s a sense of the ground moving beneath one’s feet — and despite Howieson’s skilled, masterful production, the listening experience of Aphelion is undoubtedly about surrender, not control. The soundscape it produces is both fresh and classic, or in another word, elegant. 

Official Video - https://youtu.be/J0Gf3ybLrhA

To my parents and friends who support me in countless ways, and to Rich for being my overseeing musical mentor.

Written, Produced, and Mixed by Mosam Howieson
Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri at Black Knoll Studio, NY
Design by Gabriel Benzur
Video Direction by Candace Price
Words by Taylor Bratches

Worldwide Distribution: wordandsound → what people play

© Mysteries of the Deep
MOTDLP012, 2021
mysteriesofthedeep.net

Aphelion

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MOTDLP012 - Mosam Howieson - Dream Sequence

Mysteries of the Deep is a New York-based record label, podcast, and event series — focused on ambient & experimental music in various forms. Mysteries — as fans lovingly call it — is concerned with exploration of unknown realms, and its focus, in addition to showcasing a dynamic spectrum of electronic music from foremost artists in the field, is to thoughtfully engage its audience. 

Conceptualized in 2011, Mysteries began as a podcast series that, now in its eleventh year, has hosted an array of mixes and original works. The project has since evolved, expanding into a curated global event series and record label.

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