Okay, so possibly the subtitle is only a very area of interest fantasy held by solely the creator of this text and another classic tech geeks, however a type of progressive electronica has been making its means by the ranks not too long ago, and much more indie electronica acts like Gorillaz and Bonobo do take a few pages right here and there from the prog rock guide. That mentioned, it’s possible not many EDM followers or much more experimental electro lovers would assume to place the likes of Sure, Frank Zappa and King Crimson along with synthy electronica melodies and backing.

Fortunately, Canadian singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Wes McClintock has endeavored to merge these two seemingly opposing worlds, and the result’s equal components soulful and attention-grabbing with just a bit little bit of musical wackiness thrown in. His latest album, Open Dream, layers varied varieties of classic keys, heavy analog bass and an indie rock core to create this fusion. It incorporates a great deal of completely different kinds to attain this, enjoying on the sting of early 2000s hipster rock whereas bringing in earlier influences like funk, folks, prog rock and, in fact, classic synths just like the legendary Moog to choose up virtually every part superior from he late 60s by to right now.

Open Dream opens with an 80s synth-heavy instrumental observe known as “Sky.” A real intro to the subsequent intro, “Sky” units the tone of the album, including a loungey groove from McClintock’s funky bass and at the very least two extra varieties of classic synths into the combination. Simply because it looks like the tune is about to drop into the remainder of the track, it fades out earlier than the subsequent track, “Imaginary Sounds.” Way more within the indie camp than its predecessor, “Imaginary Sounds” has the heat and depth many indie rock tracks lack these days, and that’s equipped by the expertly performed bass and backing digital sound design. It is a theme that repeats all through the album, it doesn’t matter what fashion or style McClintock decides to stuff into every observe, and certain is and can be a part of his signature sound.

“Falling,” Open Dream‘s third observe, is the place listeners will actually hear McClintock’s love for prog rock, with a bassline and composition clearly influenced by the legendary Canadian band Sure’s most well-known observe, “Roundabout.” “Falling” is far spicier, nevertheless, as in direction of the tip its impeccable construction purposely devolves into extra chaotic synths and a dissonant, virtually Zappa-esque guitar solo beings the observe to an abrupt cease. What awaits it after that high-energy, lovely mess? Nothing apart from the candy, soothing tones of a celestial folks track, known as “Ready In Line.” It’s clear by this association that McClintock doesn’t intend for the listener to get used to anyone fashion earlier than he switches it up utterly, which is sensible. Followers can decide their faves for playlists however it additionally makes for an thrilling journey alongside the trajectory of this album and presumably introduces folks to kinds, genres and modes of listening to which they’d by no means in any other case be uncovered.

Open Dream continues to toggle between kinds because it continues on, sucking up increasingly more kinds and subgenres in its path. Shrewd listeners will be capable to decide up some industrial programming in “Breaking Into Noting,” a faint soupçon of entice in “Final Time” and a few Daft Punk-like funky home in “A Totally different Sort of Sane” however it’s actually in regards to the composition that makes the album work on an entire. Then the album closes with one other instrumental observe known as “Sand,” a becoming technique to deliver the dreamer again to earth.

Choosing up on the title, Open Dream is actually an open discussion board of concepts and kinds with an emotive, relatable coronary heart that permits it and McClintock to transcend style. Tldr: it’s simply actually good music.

Open Dream is out now and will be streamed on Spotify or bought on Bandcamp.