Okay, so possibly the subtitle is only a very area of interest fantasy held by solely the creator of this text and another classic tech geeks, however a type of progressive electronica has been making its approach by way of the ranks lately, and much more indie electronica acts like Gorillaz and Bonobo do take a few pages right here and there from the prog rock guide. That stated, it’s doubtless not many EDM followers or much more experimental electro lovers would assume to place the likes of Sure, Frank Zappa and King Crimson along with synthy electronica melodies and backing.

Fortunately, Canadian singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Wes McClintock has endeavored to merge these two seemingly opposing worlds, and the result’s equal components soulful and fascinating with just a bit little bit of musical wackiness thrown in. His latest album, Open Dream, layers varied sorts of classic keys, heavy analog bass and an indie rock core to create this fusion. It incorporates a great deal of totally different types to attain this, enjoying on the sting of early 2000s hipster rock whereas bringing in earlier influences like funk, people, prog rock and, in fact, classic synths just like the legendary Moog to choose up virtually all the things superior from he late 60s by way of to at the moment.

Open Dream opens with an 80s synth-heavy instrumental observe referred to as “Sky.” A real intro to the subsequent intro, “Sky” units the tone of the album, including a loungey groove from McClintock’s funky bass and no less than two extra sorts of classic synths into the combo. Simply because it looks like the tune is about to drop into the remainder of the music, it fades out earlier than the subsequent music, “Imaginary Sounds.” Far more within the indie camp than its predecessor, “Imaginary Sounds” has the heat and depth many indie rock tracks lack these days, and that’s provided by the expertly performed bass and backing digital sound design. This can be a theme that repeats all through the album, it doesn’t matter what model or style McClintock decides to stuff into every observe, and sure is and might be a part of his signature sound.

“Falling,” Open Dream‘s third observe, is the place listeners will actually hear McClintock’s love for prog rock, with a bassline and composition clearly influenced by the legendary Canadian band Sure’s most well-known observe, “Roundabout.” “Falling” is way spicier, nevertheless, as in the direction of the top its impeccable construction purposely devolves into extra chaotic synths and a dissonant, virtually Zappa-esque guitar solo beings the observe to an abrupt cease. What awaits it after that high-energy, stunning mess? Nothing apart from the candy, soothing tones of a celestial people music, referred to as “Ready In Line.” It’s clear by this association that McClintock doesn’t intend for the listener to get used to anybody model earlier than he switches it up utterly, which is wise. Followers can decide their faves for playlists but it surely additionally makes for an thrilling journey alongside the trajectory of this album and probably introduces individuals to types, genres and modes of listening to which they’d by no means in any other case be uncovered.

Open Dream continues to toggle between types because it continues on, sucking up increasingly types and subgenres in its path. Shrewd listeners will have the ability to decide up some industrial programming in “Breaking Into Noting,” a faint soupçon of lure in “Final Time” and a few Daft Punk-like funky home in “A Completely different Form of Sane” but it surely’s actually in regards to the composition that makes the album work on an entire. Then the album closes with one other instrumental observe referred to as “Sand,” a becoming technique to carry the dreamer again to earth.

Choosing up on the identify, Open Dream is really an open discussion board of concepts and types with an emotive, relatable coronary heart that enables it and McClintock to transcend style. Tldr: it’s simply actually good music.

Open Dream is out now and could be streamed on Spotify or bought on Bandcamp.