Infinite Health

Tycho switched things up with 2019s Weather, which added lyrics to the projects vivid, guitar-driven electronic music for the first time. Simulcast reworked the same material in an instrumental format, often adding busier rhythms and more instrumental textures. Infinite Health, Tychos 2024 full-length, is somewhat of a return to form, as founder Scott Hansen decided to go back to the production methods of his earlier work. Containing some of Tychos most uptempo material, Infinite Health focuses on rhythm, paying special attention to breakbeat-like choppy drums. Opener "Consciousness Felt" sprinkles vintage synth tones over a crunchy, summery alternative rock rhythm, which feels propulsive but expansive rather than locked-in. Other tracks are more overtly danceable, such as "Phantom," which has bubbly synths, disco beats, and Tychos signature ringing guitars, although theyre a bit more muted this time. The accurately titled "Restraint" and the even more reserved "Green" step into a more introspective mode, but otherwise the album tends to feel more outwardly expressive. "Devices" flirts with the gloss and dreaminess of trance, while the title track is a sort of wonky chill-funk track veering closer to Com Truises territory. The simmering "DX Odyssey" has some of the albums most gorgeous synth work, and the surging "Totem" is surprisingly aggressive-sounding for Tycho, but in an 80s rock anthem way, filtered through production inspired by French house. Hansens music generally looks for different ways to approach familiar elements, and Infinite Health offers enough variation on his style so that it doesnt seem like hes covering old ground, even though its actually some of his most nostalgic work. ~ Paul Simpson

〈未来への希望と過去へのレクイエム〉を謳ったニンジャ・チューン移籍後の3作目。グリズリー・ベアのクリス・テイラーを共同プロデューサーに迎え、メロディーの面を磨き上げながらシンプルなエレクトロニカとブレイクビーツをベースにした様式に回帰している。インスト主体の構成のなかで、コーシャス・クレイをフィーチャーしたタイトル曲も聴きどころだ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ