Here’s a look at a couple 2021 releases from Michael Oscillate.
“Droned Home” does not, as you might fear, have anything to do with getting bored listening to some talkative dullard next to you while you’re commuting after a long day of work. It’s actually, as you might hope, some delectable drone-based music that the title is describing. Each of the four tracks offer some different flavors. “Subduction Zone” has a bit of a ghostly, windswept feel, with some delightful keyboard to provide an element of calm. “Hysteria” is a bit barren and lonely, while “Dwindling” is a little more agitated, with some subdued but abrasive noise elements. The longer closing track “Isolated” has a slowly repeating note pattern and lots of other little noises that build as the track develops. To me it somehow, inexplicably, felt both slightly melancholy and uplifting.
“Deep into the Kastle” is a cool psychedelic audio AND visual experience. Michael created all the music on this longish (22+ minute) track using only a Kastle Drum modular synth. The music features a lazy (and at times glitchy) drum rhythm mixed with many weird and wonderful distorted electronic sounds. It’s pretty mesmerizing on its own, but there’s also an accompanying video; it uses a lot of nature visuals and is really well edited to match the sounds. The liberal use of mirror screen and kaleidoscope effects results is an overall hypnotic experience. And hey, look, you can watch and/or listen to it right now: