Review: Shlohmo – Dark Red

–Written by Mike Hogan

Right now, I’m sitting on my back porch watching my dog run around and eat sticks. I should probably stop him, but he’s looking pretty content right now. And I have to say, I’m pretty content with myself as well, too content to be bothered to move. It’s about 65 degrees, sunny, and I’ve got a beer by my side. Life doesn’t really get much better than this. But my laptop is doing it’s best to tear this rather satisfying moment apart. It’s currently playing through Shlohmo’s newest full length, Dark Red, and to summarize, I’m not sure if an album title has ever quite so accurately encapsulated the imagery created by the music it contains before.

For the most part, my world is quite bright right now, but the contrast created by this dark, despondent album creates an even greater juxtaposition, really bringing the anguish in Shlohmo’s new tunes to light. Most of his previous work would be right at home with what I’m doing right now; a little bit lazy, though generally cheery, however distorted it may be. The laid back, minimalist nature of his music would have fit in well mingling with me out here on my deck.

This is not that kind of album though. And that’s the thing about Shlohmo’s music, I’m using all of these physical allusions and really very tangible imagery and associating it with his music, because that is precisely the kind of music that Shlohmo creates. He makes a world; soundscapes, full of imagery created by little more than minimal, atmospheric melodies, and he does that again, that aspect of Shlohmo’s writing does not change. It is, however, much darker. With music this vivid, it almost provides a window into the soul of the producer, and if that is indeed the case here, Shlohmo is going through a bit of a rough patch.

Don’t let this convince you that this is anything less than a brilliant album, it’s just an album that requires a high degree of awareness. It is very contextual, it works better in some settings than other. No matter how you cut it, it’s a brilliant album, but it’s one that you can gain a much deeper appreciation if you pair it appropriately with the physical world around you. It’s like pairing a nice wine with your dinner, only in a sonic sense, but the taste comparison really is that real and tangible. It takes the subtle tones of your world that fit with it so appropriately, like this not so subtle breeze that’s blowing through my backyard right now, and accentuates it; it amplifies the almost imperceivable notes of darkness going on around me. And in that sense, it’s an absolutely brilliant record. Some people may not appreciate such a contextually sensitive piece of music, but there are very few musicians out there that can make something that is so in tune with not only the emotions of the listener, but with the very world that surrounds them.

And that is something that all of Shlohmo’s music is good for. Just because this album is darker than most other work for him is really of little consequence. Personally, I prefer darker tones in this type of music, so it works out for me. But that’s really only the face value of what’s going on, there is so much more to this album than can really be conveyed without really experiencing it for yourself. Dark Red is definitely an album I will be returning to for years to come. It won’t be inconstant rotation, but when the time is right, this will be my go to, I’ll know when it’s time to come back to it again. I’ll be saving this one for a rainy day.