seven

I have noticed gimmik a while ago, with its vinyl release on toytronic, and few appearances on toytronic compilations. on each compilation gimmik stood out with exceptionally well-done compositions that were both melodic and intricate. in comparison with "load error" ep, this album seems to be more "mature," less playful; the change I can only welcome.

this album did not require any time to fall in love with, it grabs you from the very first track, and before you know it, you play it constantly. "slow motion process" has its own character, among so many idm bands that I have heard lately it stands out possessing its own mood and style.

on almost every track there is an element that adds that finishing touch to the composition. very often it is something that possesses a darker, heavier mood - an abrasive percussion element, a deep heavy bassline, a caustic loop, background static waves. those contrasting elements are mixed perfectly into gentle flowing melody and exquisite percussion.

so many times while listening to this album I would catch myself thinking, how much of an improvement and how unique it could be if more of those darker, heavier elements were used. and then I suddenly realized that this is what gridlock is doing. the gridlock of today; somewhere in between attacking ferocity of "further" and gentle, minimal grace of latest tracks. I saw how ideas of both bands, extended further, arrive to the same result. and this is when I became content with the sound of "slow motion process", seeing both sides of the genre, and understanding how perfectly the tracks are composed, balancing lighter and darker motives.

this album is constructed using familiar idm mechanics, but it breaks out of this very intangible, yet recognizable pattern that majority of idm seems to follow, and goes beyond most of the bands, building more cohesive, more varied and more personal and recognizable sound.