landon9720 – Banjo Multiverse
While his artist name may seem more like an internet username than anything, make no mistake; landon9720 is a musician to take seriously. In what may seem like a terrible idea, though is executed meticulously, the Portland-based artist pairs transcendental banjo folk rock with modern EDM. The results are fascinating, and impressively consistent.
At times they can be uneven, though, especially in the mixing department. The banjo doesn’t quite offer a stereo-fulfilling sound of its own, and when the EDM lacks depth, such as during Flooded Road to Glenties, the results can be mixed. Thankfully, these moments are rare. Moreover, the electronics work far more impressively when they’re interwoven within the banjo, such as during Worn Jacket, a majestical piece. At times it can be quirky, yet humorous, such as the interweaving electronics of Humours of Tulla. The song highlights one of the most admirable qualities of Banjo Multiverse – it doesn’t take itself seriously. This is a huge boast, as the musician is clearly incredibly talented. There are also plenty of other standouts, such as Broken Pledge and Drunken Landlady. The fiddle helps breathe plenty of life into the former song. The piece is imaginative, fluent and extraordinarily progressive. The latter is enhanced beautifully by synthetics; it’s a fascinating, ominous juxtaposition to the preceding tracks. Not only do the dancey plunderphonics come out of nowhere, but they surprisingly work.
There’s much to enjoy on Banjo Multiverse. Like all things truly innovative, it takes time getting used to, though once it clicks, it soars. While the banjo is consistently exceptional throughout, the EDM sections don’t feel as fleshed out or evenly executed; this is an area landon9720 will need to focus on in future. For now, enjoy his stunning debut:
Really Good
Listen to it here:
Landon9720 – Banjo Multiverse
