Sludge Man - The Sludge Man Cometh
Sludge Man is an experimental, instrumental producer from Houston, Texas. His debut, The Sludge Man Cometh, released by Open Toad Records on November 21, 2020, is sonically a very interesting album. The song-writing, though while relatively straight forward, is progressive and constantly delights. Whether it’s by subtle intricacies that emerge from the backdrop, such as in Sludge City, or the invigorating backdrop of Dredging the Catacomb, the album is full of surprises.
Some of the beats are disappointingly flat, though; such is the case in – and The Everyday Horror. Moreover, the midi synths that are prevalent during songs like Past Master lack dynamic, and thus, character. Become Real is also held back by this notion; the composition and aesthetic are genuinely engaging, but the midi orchestra sounds flat and lacking in timbre in comparison. Though while the beats and synths are outdated, the surrounding, encapsulating frequencies are impressively ominous and pleasurable. This seems to be more of a mixing issue, something one can only hope Sludge Man improves on in future.
It goes without saying that Sludge Man soars in the composition, the enjoyability, and perhaps even the innovation department. Each song is full of life, and their progressions are masterfully thought out. It’s a shame that, on the surface, some of the production is relatively stale compared to its stronger elements. While the pieces are engaging, they’re not entirely memorable. An acoustic instrument will always stand the test of time, though certain electronic instruments can easily sound dated – such is the case here. Nonetheless, criticisms aside, The Sludge Man Cometh is a varied and interesting debut worth your time.
Good
Listen to it here:
Sludge Man - The Sludge Man Cometh
