BVSMV - Kodachrome Forests (Descriptions of all the tracks from this EP):
You've patiently waited more than half a year since last June's "Wish We Were Sightseers", the stunning yet breezy BVSMV release. If you're anything like me, those five stellar tracks sit comfortably in one playlist or another of yours and it's a joy when anything from Bryan Kraft's sonic oeuvre shows up. Now you can increase the likelihood of those spring-loaded serotonin-coated Synthwave bullets occurring without doing anything weird like duplicating them in your playlist, by adding these fantastic six new pieces, presented hear under the intriguing "Kodachrome Forests" banner.
Kraft has another story to tell you. The first track says as much, and lays out the route for this new mini musical journey with the signature crisp and clean synthy optimism we've come to love his tunes for. You didn't think he'd have fallen off did you? The guy breaths synth-wave, every magnificent piece like this demonstrates his prowess and elevates his standing above what at this point is a wildly popular subgenre. You can feel the care and respect for his craft on every song, none more so than on the airy and brief yet refreshing "Elsewhere", where bright, colourful melodic flourishes glide proudly and vibrantly across tightly constructed aural halls, soaring high over the crispest and sharpest beats.
The strangely titled "Relative Obscurity" is up next, though the sounds found therein are anything but strange. In fact here we're treated to Kraft's masterful straight-up funk sensibilities, married with his trademark reverb-laden synth bells in an interesting fusion which produces an extremely likeable aural polymer. The following "Caspian" hits the slow-mo key, and the EP finds its breathing space. Over extremely reverberated beats, punchier than punchy, it's title bringing to mind the vast continent-crossing stretches of the water from which this amazing track may take it's name, or perhaps it's Prince Caspian's epic nautical voyage, previously documented by Phish (and I guess C.S. Lewis if you're one of those fancy reader types). Either way, it's a top tune.
"Infinity Signs" is the best track on the EP. I always like when people put their best track in the penultimate spot of their releases. I notice it happening all the time. There's no way of knowing if Kraft did this on purpose. I mean I could ask him but... anyway. Everything about this particular tune is lovely and sublime and a million other complimentary adjectives. The shimmering array of keys and the infectious as ever beat just gel so beautifully together it makes me want to do something drastic like dance. This is my favourite BVSMV tune of all time and if it's not yours, that's probably because you prefer the similarly exquisite closer.
"Kodachrome Forests". It's the title track so you know you're in for a blast. You'd be right to assume so. This isn't some 12 minute epic multifaceted synth-opera building up to some overblown crescendo, rather the whole piece feels like that. A subtle build up, but charged with mystically good vibes and washes and wooshes of fantastical noise. BVSMV, Bicycle VS Motor Vehicle, extended play, Kodachrome Forests, 6 tracks, Synthwave, Synth-funk, borderline ambient at times, endlessly enjoyable, frequently mesmerizing, always a pleasure. You already know you need to get on this, - George Ernst - Triplicate Records
