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‘Kernel Phase' – Rhombus Index (SBA #041)

Back in July 2021 Rhombus Index made his debut on See Blue Audio with the ‘Planar’ EP. This was followed by the ‘Diatom’ EP in February 2022, and both releases have become an essential part of the label’s catalogue, gaining acclaim and support across the ambient electronic music scene. For his next release, it seemed fitting to combine the new with a reinterpretation of what came before. On ‘Kernel Phase’, the forty-first and closing release of 2022 on See Blue Audio, five new tracks are accompanied by several remixes to create an all-embracing experience representing the multitude of shades, tones and influences that constitute the Rhombus Index aesthetic.

As an experimental electronic musician based in West Yorkshire, Rhombus Index draws inspiration and solace from the natural world that surrounds him. From fragments of sound like water falling on a leaf or the rustling of leaves on a windy day – as captured in field recordings – to the enduring power of the changing seasons, and the hypnotic beauty of the maze of elements that constitute this world and the cosmos beyond. On the flipside, we have the techniques of electronic composition and sound design, and a fascination with emerging technology in general, as well as a deep knowledge and love for dance culture. All these join forces in the sonic landscapes of Rhombus Index, and on ‘Kernel Phase’, he gives free reign to his imagination and that of like-minded artists.

With these new tracks of varying lengths, there has been deeper focus on ambient textures and tonality, exploring rompler synthesisers and field recordings. Generative sequencers, wavetable synthesis, FM synthesis and computer file data analysed as sound are also used, while there’s also a continuing exploration into the sounds of late ‘90s RPG games, notably on ‘Eternal Corridor’ and ‘Float Robot’.

‘Set Null’ opens ‘Kernel Phase’, and it was born out of the idea of creating a sense of seemingly perpetual evolution; it was designed to have an almost constant build-up throughout. This is reflected in the accompanying video with its evolving geometry; like a creature that consists only of shapes and lives in its own ecosystem.

‘Lemma’ can be seen as the next step in the journey of ‘Axiom’ from the ‘Diatom’ EP with a nod to post-rave relaxation contained within its dreamlike beatless soundscape. Elsewhere, field recordings from a summer trip to North Wales feature heavily in ‘Genki’ as it captures the feeling of a lazy day by the sea with nothing to do. As with all of 'Kernel Phase', it feels like taking a deep breath of clean, fresh air.

To complement these new tracks, the artist returned to his previous releases with ‘Lepto Run (Anisotropic Reimaging)’, an investigation into mash-ups but based on an ambient paradigm. Non-competing elements in ‘Leptosol’ and ‘Bee Brew Run’ – from ‘Planar’ and ‘Diatom’ respectively – which gelled between the two tracks, were taken to create a delicate, minimal fusion of both.

Continuing the theme of reinterpreting what came before, See Blue Audio took a step into new territory by inviting other artists from its roster to reimagine the music of Rhombus Index. The result is an expansive, visionary and exceptional body of work that traverses alternate sounds, moods and inspirations.

‘Lyli J’s Fractal Remix’ sees the French American artist bring her warm, organic sound and voice to ‘Spinor’, where her esoteric folk sensibility extends into dubby beats and splinters of sound. Next up, the f5point6 ‘Silent’ remix of ‘Leptosol’ twists and turns in the distinctive style of R.Cleveland Aaron to create a freeform reinterpretation of beguiling subtilty. After two tracks from ‘Planar’, Thomas Ragsdale brings the drone aesthetics and dense atmospherics of Sulk Rooms to ‘Axiom’ from ‘Diatom’, pushing the original into a dense netherworld of hypnotic beats and slow-motion techno.

Fragile X splices ‘Automata’ into converging and contrasting parts where cascades of sound are juxtaposed by broken beats and electro basslines. To close, ‘Kuma’s Slightly Ecstatic Remix’ sees the latest addition to the See Blue Audio roster take ‘Axiom’ onto the dancefloor to maximum effect. Part eulogy and part warehouse anthem, it has that end-of-night energy to bring ‘Kernel Phase’ to a completion and the whole project full circle. Embrace the ride.

‘Kernel Phase’ is also available in a limited edition cassette version. Completing the picture and only available to purchasers of the full release through Bandcamp, ‘Leptosol (f5point6 ‘Revisited’ Remix)’ is an exclusive alternative reworking from R.Cleveland Aaron that reflects another of his influences with an excursion into atmospheric deep house.

Image: Loui Binns.