Review: "Walk Alone" Album by Pluto Tideswell
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Regensburg, Germany based music producer and sound designer Pluto Tideswell does not confine himself to any one genre on the joyous colorful bursts of his album, “Walk Alone”. Traces of industrial, electro, EDM, pop, and more filter into the fray. A highly unique experience, Pluto constantly confounds with a number of unexpected twists and turns. Quite organic sounding the pieces evolve in their own way. Hooks aplenty there is an eclectic aspect that helps to tie the whole of the journey together. Nods to the psychedelic emerge throughout the entirety of the journey.
This is not any kind of psychedelic; it follows the similar spaced-out quality of the new practitioners of the style. One can hear traces of Tame Impala’s keyboard heavy freakouts. Lots of colorful chords and careful usage of the synthesizers further flesh out the rather all-consuming sound. Beyond this, there is a yearning passionate plea that endures over the course of the album. Lyricism brings to mind some of Kevin Barnes’ Of Montreal output. Similar to that group, Pluto makes sure that the romanticism of the verses is not lost, but rather framed front and center.
Pulses from the synthesizer start things off with the intensity of “Greed”. On “Listening”, a dramatic flair is included for the song comes into bloom quite quickly. An anthemic attitude emerges on the cryptic spirit of “The Walker” with the beats hitting in an uncertain way, as if terrified.
The song “I Hate These Thoughts” has an eeriness to it for vocals work themselves into an absolute panic. By far the highlight of the album is the tender “We Meet At The End Of The Sky”. Here the melodies have a sweetness to them, full of tenderness. Grooves have an almost Warp Records sort of breakdown to them on the uneasy “Indecisive”.
Deliberately paced “Take Me Away” has a woozy, dazed atmosphere to it. Keeping things delicate and fragile “Could Be Heaven” has a kindness about it. Neon hued glows burst on “Flavor” for a nostalgic quality takes hold. Finishing things off strong comes the intense vision of “Black Bile (Runaway) – Cover”.
The “Walk Alone” album shows off Pluto Tideswell’s ability to craft a universe that has a great personal quality to it.