Memory Tapes - Seek Magic (Something in Construction)

This millennium has seen the music industry have an evolving stance in regards to the consumption of music. And as we enter into a new decade, social networking is becoming more and more a part of everyday lives where its got to the point that even releasing music is accessible through the click of a button. Yes i'm certain the vast majority of you reading this are aware of that so I wont go into this topic any further. But a recent example of an artist undertaking these music releasing developments is Dayve Hawk, aka Weird Tapes, aka Memory Cassettes, aka Memory Tapes, who has been making a bit of a name for himself within the Bedroom music scene. Having released compositions under these pseudonyms on his ‘We’re Tapes’ blog, his online following had been anticipating his first official release ‘Seek Magic’.

‘Seek Magic’ showcases 8 tracks of luscious dream-pop electronica in which draws notable comparisons with Cocteau Twins on the recordings opener ‘Swimming Field’. Proceeded by earlier single ‘Bicycle’ which for me is a highlight, where we begin to notice the outlook on the albums general sound. Drawing further dance shoe gaze comparisons like M83 and The Knife, especially in Hawks voice (yes. The vocals are indeed sung by Hawk himself), ‘Bicycle’ is unleashed with pleasant surprises as its sound seems to deliver something new on at least 3 different occasions especially In the melody. In ‘Stop Talking’ we hear the first example of a true club track with its broken down chorus and arpeggiated synths. Clocking in at just over seven minutes I can see why this wouldn’t seem out of place on the dance floor of any electro or indie club night. This is followed by ‘Graphics’ which as Hawks latest single you might all be more familiar with. You can see why it was a chosen single as it has a similar structure to
previous single and like ‘Bicycle’ it encounters musical surprises including a filthy beat a minute from the end. Instrumental ‘Run Out’ is a fitting closer on ‘Seek Magic’ not only in the title but in the opinion that it gives a looping effect as it would also work well as an opening track.

Memory Tapes I would hope to become a recognisable name in 2010 and with this late noughties release, the New Jersey one man multi-instrumentalist's bedroom produced ambient electronic synth pop are sounds that we at Middle Boop will hopefully be championing a lot more of in the forthcoming year.

By Freddy Rothman