Canadian artist Germanium SIl prefers to keep the focus on the music. We may not know his background or his musical history, but we do know that he’s recently released an album of instrumentals. With a focus on electronic, lo-fi elements, the album Equanminity is a comprehensive introduction to the Germanium SIl sound.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
The album opens with Hijacked, and we’re instantly hit with heavy, driving electronica. The percussion is distorted and unforgiving, and the synths are dark and ominous, setting a foreboding and intense tone for the project. This is followed by Pretense, a more melodic and energetic number. The inclusion of the electric guitar brings just a hint of bluesiness to the track.
Catastrophic Machine lives up to its name and moves in a very robotic, futuristic direction. The siren-like synths create a sense of urgency and intensity, fortified by the cinematic string swells. In the background, a heavily effected electric guitar brings a funk element to the track, blending the more inorganic elements of this song’s production with a deep musical undercurrent that is consistently present.
Dispatches from the Sober House is one of the album’s gentlest moments. While the sharp edges of Germanium SIl’s style of production remain in moments of riffs and effects, the overall sound is soft and relaxed, offering a welcome reprieve from much of the rest of the album’s electric intensity.
Brooklyn Redux is a successful transition out of that more subdued moment, utilizing a deep and cinematic string arrangement as the next focal point. The hip-hop-esque percussion works surprisingly well underneath these more organic elements – in fact it seems like this kind of blending is a hallmark of this album.
The title track Equanminity feels like a great summation for the album despite its position several songs away from the conclusion. It’s a selective mix of spacey effects, melodic interludes, string passages, and metallic synths – all main elements elsewhere on this project. The arrangement is tied together by an unhurried rhythm and overall calm energy, allowing the track to live up to its name well.
We also love Panic Mode for the alt-rock energy of the primary riff – further exemplifying that Germanium SIl can work in almost any genre he chooses. The spoken word section highlighting the track’s title is in slight contrast to the arrangement – the words ‘panic mode’ create ideas of chaotic or unpredictable music, but here the production seems measured and thoughtful, at a very constant mid-level energy. The juxtaposition of these two concepts makes for an interesting listening experience.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
The sound shift early on in the album when we arrive at Matrix is the best initial showcase of Germanium SIl’s artistic range. Jazzy, with notes of R&B, this track puts the focus on integrating additional elements around the melody from the keys, instead of interspersing melodic moments around more synthetic elements as it is often seen elsewhere. We also love Apartments for its unexpected Americana influence, a twangy, dramatic number that feels as though it’s straight out of a Western movie.
IN CONCLUSION…
For those looking for instrumentals that are bold and experimental, Equanimity will resonate with you. Germanium SIl has a distinctive approach to production, blending the digital and the analog, unafraid to push boundaries and work outside the box, resulting in an explorative and captivating tracklist that will keep listeners on their toes throughout. Stream this innovative and diverse work for yourself below.
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BELOW: Listen to Equanimity and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Germanium SIl by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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