After decades of technological obsession, humanity is seeing the results. Some frightening, some favorable. And Seattle’s own EMUH explores this dichotomy on his new EP, Dial Tones, out now on Feral One Records.

EMUH is a celebrated producer, musician, and vocalist with releases on Prime Society Records and Space Yacht, alongside remixes for Arnold & Lane and GAWP. He’s also an established engineer and producer under the name Hume Audio, working with clients like Casmalia, Longstocking, Mitch Dodge, Schade, Speaker Honey, and ZOF for some of the biggest labels in the world including majors like Universal, Insomniac, and Columbia.

So it’s safe to say that EMUH has channeled the advance of technology into something fulfilling for himself and beneficial to the world. Still, he is far from ignorant of what this technological integration has meant for society, and, on an individual level, much of this technological integration begins with one item in particular: the phone.

This truth makes it only fitting that the Dial Tones EP begins with its title track, which in turn begins with the sound of a lively conversation at a jovial gathering, one that the narrator is ignoring entirely as he waits for the phone to ring. 

EMUH’s vocals say as much with a smooth tone and light fluctuations in pitch, demonstrating that this person who is waiting for the call is still indeed human. In between the vocals, new bits of melody appear with almost every beat, like little pings to show what he (and everyone else who’s spent an entire party staring at their phone) is missing around them.

Next is “The End Of The World,” and even when the world is burning, the narrator is still staring at his phone, harnessing another frequent experience of the modern world: technological escapism. EMUH captures this naive and avoidant dynamic with musical prowess, honing in on an ascending guitar loop. Clangy and gliding, it’s just that alluring to where (like the endless scroll of social media) something worthwhile and entertaining could be on the other side of the screen, but overall, it’s always just more of the same social loop.

For the third track, “Frog Kiss,” EMUH shifts to alternative rhythms, a less structured approach, and beautiful, dulcet sound design. Dreamy, glittering arpeggios like a night sky unimpeded by clouds and light pollution. Shimmering sheens that envelop the soundscape like a warm summer breeze. Just as when a frog turns into a prince after he feels the love of human connection, when a human puts down their phone, these are the experiences humans can feel.

To close the EP is the party track, “G-Bounce.” In this case, the “G” stands for gangster (not unlike other applications of the letter), and EMUH proves he is all that and more through his version of bassline-driven house music. In a genre that is still in the midst of its heyday, EMUH applies subtlety and intelligence. On the drop, instead of a massive foghorn, he implements a descending tone, one that then slowly rises back in towards the end of the phrase, like a clue at the beginning of a mystery being the key to the solution at the end. This is just one of the mid-range sounds that is oh so groovy, but still carries with it a great deal of emotion. 

Original Art: Tara Hatzidakis (NY, US)
Mastering: Subvert Central Mastering (UK)

Feral One Records LLC
www.FeralOneRecords.com
linktr.ee/feralonerecords

Coming Dec. 29th

EMUH - Frog Kiss

RaffyRaxx - FMD*

Escape [Prod Shango]

I’m Taxing these…. Like Fanum with food!

(Bonus) Fanum Tax

BOUNCE

Party All The Time

Molldark

Third Floor

With all the wars going on around the world,  I decided that my first Christmas song would be about the value of peace and keeping it.   
I wish everyone a safe and happy holidays.  Merry Christmas! :-)

Keep The Peace

Dec. 14, 2023 All Original

Love From A Distance 
Mark Urso 

You know I love you - that’s all I’m gonna say!  
After all it could never happen … anyway … 

You’re not afraid - you don’t back away
You look so beautiful - watchin’ me play!
And I think you’re lookin’ - through your hair
And I think I’ve never seen such an intentional stare!

You ’n me are gonna have to love from a distance 
It’s ok with me if it’s just a few inches!

It’s a full moon tonight; wanna go out get tight
Just being near you I’m havin’ the time of my life! 
Do that thing with your eyes and your lips and your hair
Oh No! Oh-oh! … gettin’ caught in a stare! 
You got me by the neck holdin’ me down on the floor
And all you got to do is walk in the door!

You ’n me are gonna have to love from a distance 
It’s ok with me if it’s just a few inches!

I want to be a perfect gentleman 
All I wanna do … is hold your hand 
I can’t get in your head but I wish I could know 
Are you thinking nice things … I sure hope so! 
I don’t even wanna … find out all the way! 
I just wanna have an angel always in play! 

You ’n me are gonna have to love from a distance 
It’s ok with me if it’s just a few inches!

There’s a rainbow in my sky and it ain’t rainin’ do’no why!
Got my ruler I can see … we can move an inch or three!
Can I just whisper something in your ear
Come closer, sugar, so you can hear
You know I love you - that’s all I’m gonna say! 
After all it could never happen … anyway … 


***

Third Floor

Dimitri AC

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