SERALP01: Satellite Era presents “Escapism” - a collection of archival tracks written in 2021-2023 by Evan Magoni, best known as gonima.

Out now on all major platforms: https://ffm.to/seralp01

"Inevitable State" - premiered by Inverted Audio: https://inverted-audio.com/premiere-gonima-inevitable-state

"Escapism" premiered by Rendah Mag: https://rendahmag.com/article/gonima-satellite-era

Over three years since the conception of our record label, we are proud to finally unveil our first full-length album - one that is truly held close to our hearts. It is only right that we welcome one of our biggest inspirations and dearest friends over the years for his inaugural solo release on the imprint.

Since our discovery of Montreal-based producer gonima a half-decade ago, we were certain that we wanted him to be part of what would eventually become Satellite Era. His sound felt incredibly familiar to us as connoisseurs of ambient and electronica, yet distinct enough to be easily identifiable. Fans of Telefon Tel Aviv, Lusine, Mr. Projectile, and other landmarks in this rustic realm will feel right at home. He effortlessly combines warm and emotive sounds from the early-2000s golden-age of in-home listening music with stuttering percussion frequently heard in glitch-centric subgenres. The byproduct of this, along with a splash of clever song arrangement and chord progression, is what gonima’s renowned formula consists of.

With a clear nod to yesteryear’s wave of ambient and electronica, “Escapism” captures the essence of what made that era so pivotal, while enhancing its sound with modern elements and an effort to portray a storytelling experience. The album taps into duality with a contrast between clean, high-fidelity sounds and gritty low-end that is meant to elevate the listening experience through physicality. It is unafraid to recycle some of gonima’s signature production characteristics: uplifting songs drenched in lush, nostalgic tones that are occasionally met with the chaos of digitized drums. Avid fans of his discography will surely recognize his sonic presence in tracks like “Monostable” and “Imminence,” where saturated pads add a fuzzy coating of sound upon his typically pristine production. Each song feels multilayered, with hidden artifacts existing in between; it revives the curiosity of dusty electronics met with precision. 

Although most of “Escapism” seems cohesive and builds off its centralized theme, there are a few instances that allow the listener to step away and appreciate a diverse sense of improvisation: the live guitar in “Turning,” the spaced-out vocals in “Sculpt3-spaces,” and the use of real drum breaks in “Inevitable State” all contribute to this feeling. These small moments are important in building lore, while also showcasing gonima’s newfound curiosity for stepping out of his established processes. As the album begins to decompress, we are met with a slower pace, more repetition, and the inevitable conclusion to a once expanding world. “Doors Of The Mind” utilizes an odd time signature to deliver moody melodic sequences met with shuffling drums. “Places, Things” sprinkles wholesome piano keys over a glitchy, low-tempo hip-hop beat. The outro of the album is a wind tunnel of ambiance that leaves it entirely open for interpretation.

“Escapism” can be best described as the love story between two foundational aspects of a human’s life: imagination and reality. It expresses the necessity of both sides to coincide peacefully, without relying on each other to function properly. It is unmeant to replace the challenges and ruggedness of reality; the beauty lies within its imperfections. Its immersion is amplified by a vessel of imagination only existing in this outlandish space. It leaves behind a meaningful relic of gonima’s best and most confident work to date.

What entices you to close your eyes? What healing sounds surround you in your dreams?

BUY / STREAM

gonima - Places, Things

Available on Bandcamp: https://audeka.bandcamp.com/track/spoon-melter
Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccWLqEDGU4k

Spoon Melter came together by recording & processing a detuned banjo, block flute, and basslines from the Arturia Microfreak. The vibe of the track made me think of a fierce yet sarcastic creature.

Spoon Melter

finale

ばいばい

Lithium.feedr

@stvgisnotreal
instagram.com/stvgisnotreal
twitter.com/stvgisnotreal

@abortedaudio
instagram.com/killebola.wav

is this love enough to save you
and raise you
is this love enough to ask you
to pass through

fill me up with all your hate describe me with your paint about how you're fucking better
in my afterlife bet you try to write about how you tried, burn the letter

is this love enough to ask you
to pass through

worship will fail like it’s lurking
squirming in stale like i earned it
serving in surge like it’s permanent
worth getting merked like it’s perfect
god i been folding and worthless
lost and been holding in hurting
guzzle down bourbon to cure it
puzzle out merging of curtains
flail like it’s sinking and urgent
scale on a pale blinking serpent
timing entailed linking person
biting impale and reverse it

STREAM/DL

NOTHING LEFT (FT. KILL EBOLA)

both sides prod tgwog

Throw A Wobble (feat. Kursa, Lone Drum, Osmetic & Seppa)

fishing

New free dl remix from me because its my birthday

Make sure to check out the amazing original tune by @Haywyre

Visuals on my channel -> https://youtu.be/LP5ziW0SXiA

my main acccount -> @vorso

FaceDown

Stosz

Related tracks