… The San Francisco-based producer’s second album is a model of taut, tasteful house music that ably spans the tech-to-progressive spectrum. On lead track “Monster Island”, VonStroke demonstrates a minimalist approach based on efficiency, not omission. He makes the merest elements wriggle and snap, with laconically fierce results– a shadowy atmosphere, where things jump out at you. The contrasts– restrained quiet vs. cathartic volume, sharp sonic flecks vs. billowing sheens of sound– are thrilling. Ticking hi-hats, flared synth tones, and vocal snippets inflect at slant angles, until foghorns gather them up into an obliterative sweep. Then VonStroke pares everything back down to fire-dancing drums and starts the wild ride again. Not only is it elegantly mixed and arranged, it’s full of personality. Don’t let the bird fool you; this guy is a monster.

 

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