Artist: Sound Strider
Album: Intrepid Travels EP
Genre: Experimental, Electronic
RIYL: Kilowatts, Tom Cosm, Flying Lotus

Ofttimes, you just need a break from the mundane or stressful routine. Some people relax with a movie, some people relax with a beer or two, some people get high, some people draw or read, and some people just lose themselves in music. No matter your preference of tunes to let go to, there are definitely genres that are specifically aimed at aiding in this very purpose. While essentially a unique take on a general form of experimental electronic grooves, Sound Strider’s self-proclaimed “Psychedelic Ethno Trigger Funk” is one such genre.

From the very opening of “The Stakes” on his recently released Intrepid Travels EP, it’s immediately clear that this is something to simply sit back, close your eyes, and zone out to. The low-droning synth layers envelope your mind as the breakbeat percussion and other various instruments add melody for you to mellowly groove to in your seat, all the while being guided through your 5-track journey by vocal samples that perfectly accentuate the vibe and themes of the EP.

While each track has a similar feel as they seemingly blend into each other, this only further aids in your ability to melt into your seat, but despite the almost monotonous tone throughout the 29-minute release, each track does in fact have its own personality. At times, segments will feel as though they came out of a video game (keyboard parts in “Limit” sound reminiscent of Zelda themes), but for the most part there’s an entirely spacial element that you just drift to. However, there are moments that do pick up and will coax you out of your seat to move. The 2:02 mark in “Limit” is one point that interrupts the celestial flow but you just can’t be mad at it. The undeniable groove and glitchy layers are just too much fun. It makes for one of the best parts of the album, and “Limit” may in fact just be its best song as a whole.

The EP wraps up with the truly experimental “Betoniere,” a track that doesn’t necessarily fit the design that its preceding 4 tracks laid out for it but it makes for an interesting listen. It definitely seems like something Sam Waks was initially just messing around with and decided to play it out as he had fun with it. The unique beats are a nice touch but the “growling” samples feel out of place and overall, the structure of the song just feels as though it wasn’t pulled together in a cohesive manner.

Waks certainly makes some fresh electronic cuts to chill to as Sound Strider and I look forward to seeing where he takes this project with further release. Ms. Frizzle better play it cool, though, because she can get in some serious shit for driving the kids under the influence while rolling to Intrepid Travels.

SCORE: 7.5/10
Review written by: Brian Lion — (Follow him on Twitter)

• Author
• Recent Posts

Brian Leak

Editor-In-Chief. King of forgetting drinks in the freezer. Pop culture pack rat. X-Phile. LOST apologist.

Latest posts by Brian Leak (see all)

• UTG PREMIERE: Hymn – ‘Mouth’ EP - June 10, 2016
• SakkieFTW snaps you out of it with new EP, ‘Experiment 1.3.2’ - June 6, 2016
• The Lost Poets’ ‘Insubordia pt II’ is dark and gritty - June 3, 2016