Dreamstate

UK、ウェールズ出身のプロデューサー/シンガー、ケリー・リー・オーエンスによる新アルバム

ケリー・リー・オーウェンスは看護師からミュージシャンに転身したウェールズ出身のプロデューサー/シンガー。
The 1975のジョージ・ダニエルが立ち上げた新レーベル、dh2からの第1弾リリース!
アルバムにはThe 1975のジョージ・ダニエル、ケミカル・ブラザーズのトム・ローランズ、Bicepが共同プロデューサー兼ライターとして参加。

First known for playing bass in noise pop band the History of Apple Pie and working with techno producer Daniel Avery, Kelly Lee Owens signed to avant-leaning Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound and released three acclaimed albums of dreamlike electro-pop and spacy techno. The third, 2022s LP.8, was a challenging yet soothing effort equally inspired by industrial pioneers Throbbing Gristle and new age icon Enya. Following her most experimental effort to date, Owens seems to have switched gears entirely. Dreamstate is released by dh2, an electronic-focused imprint of Dirty Hit Records run by George Daniel of the 1975. Daniel wrote and produced material for the album, along with other major collaborators including Bicep and the Chemical Brothers Tom Rowlands. While just as atmospheric and ethereal as Owens previous efforts, Dreamstate seems to draw more from progressive house and trance than ambient and experimental music. The mostly instrumental opener "Dark Angel" easily could have appeared on an Anjunabeats release, and other songs are in the vein of Paul van Dyk-produced vocal trance. The title track and "Air" are undeniably euphoric without being overblown, and theres a psychedelic tinge to others, such as the Rowlands co-produced "Ballad (In the End)." The catchy "Love You Got" is one of the albums more captivating attempts at creating a dance-pop anthem, and "Higher" feels motivational in the way it constantly elevates. "Time To"s punchy breakbeats and woozy aura make for one of the albums highlights. ~ Paul Simpson

First known for playing bass in noise pop band the History of Apple Pie and working with techno producer Daniel Avery, Kelly Lee Owens signed to avant-leaning Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound and released three acclaimed albums of dreamlike electro-pop and spacy techno. The third, 2022s LP.8, was a challenging yet soothing effort equally inspired by industrial pioneers Throbbing Gristle and new age icon Enya. Following her most experimental effort to date, Owens seems to have switched gears entirely. Dreamstate is released by dh2, an electronic-focused imprint of Dirty Hit Records run by George Daniel of the 1975. Daniel wrote and produced material for the album, along with other major collaborators including Bicep and the Chemical Brothers Tom Rowlands. While just as atmospheric and ethereal as Owens previous efforts, Dreamstate seems to draw more from progressive house and trance than ambient and experimental music. The mostly instrumental opener "Dark Angel" easily could have appeared on an Anjunabeats release, and other songs are in the vein of Paul van Dyk-produced vocal trance. The title track and "Air" are undeniably euphoric without being overblown, and theres a psychedelic tinge to others, such as the Rowlands co-produced "Ballad (In the End)." The catchy "Love You Got" is one of the albums more captivating attempts at creating a dance-pop anthem, and "Higher" feels motivational in the way it constantly elevates. "Time To"s punchy breakbeats and woozy aura make for one of the albums highlights. But several other tracks are just too light to make an impression, or they lack the personality of Owens earlier work, sounding indistinguishable from most progressive house. Dreamstate feels like Owens attempt at reaching the sort of mainstream success that someone like Peggy Gou has achieved, and while it does contain some worthwhile material, overall it just doesnt add up. ~ Paul Simpson

ウェールズのトラックメイカーがダーティ・ヒットの電子音楽部門に移籍して発表した通算4作目。これまで以上に即戦力なバンガーを揃えており、The 1975のジョージ・ダニエルが助力した"Dark Angel"、アシッド・ベースが気持ち良い表題曲などユーフォリックで美麗なテクノは明け方のフロアを沸かせるはず。ケミカル・ブラザーズのトム・ローランズやバイセップらも参加。
bounce (C)田中亮太