“Aslan’s sun is rising, thanks to internet support from the drum n bass community”
Many people fear that free music on the web isn’t worth much more than that. Often times I agree, but every now and again I’m proven wrong by someone truly exceptional making their way via the medium of the internet. Aslan’s is one such artist.
I first came into contact with Aslan’s through posts to a news group run by Chicago-based forwardbound.com, a site dedicated to the bands and labels of atmospheric drum n bass. Taran, of Aslan’s, regularly posts links to his newest tracks, usually hosted by ironcladmindfloss.com (a site that he and friends have created as an artistic outlet for musicians, poets and fine artist alike.) He began putting his songs on the more infamous mp3.com just a few months ago, as a more reliable way to make his music available, and has been rather pleased with the results.
Already, the mp3.com site has logged over 250 downloads/streamed plays of mp3’d tracks from his upcoming album (available on their own DAM system by the time of print), something Taran feels he has Forward Bound to thank for. Fellow producers and DJs from the Forward Bound list have been very supportive of his work, lending criticism and critical contact information to the project. Several companies and individuals have expressed interest in releasing vinyl or pressing dub plates of Aslan’s songs, which is something Taran is quite excited about.
Having just begun his dnb production career a scant 2 years ago, he couldn’t be more happy to have caught the attention of a sometimes fickle audience. But, more than “the list,” Taran has nothing but good, solid music to point to for his success. I would classify his music as straddling the line between Warp, which caters to the avant garde Intelligent Dance Music set, and the primarily atmospheric Drum n Bass focused Good Looking Records’ sounds — including some of the best aspects of each. With intelligent drum programming and atmospheric toppings, Aslan’s is a treat for both the mind and soul.
“Falling Vast,” one of the most recent songs added, was the first to capture my imagination. With it’s catchy bassline and samba-esque percussion, I soon found myself grooving to the beat and nodding my head in time. Quickly stealing my attention, however, was “Placebo,” with it’s moody keys loop and punchy rhythm.
More moody, even, is “Eldila,” which reminds me somewhat of electronic innovator, Plaid. A lovely, wispy melody (a harp, perhaps?) is juxtaposed over a mechanical brushed-sounding drum beat, a flute melody, occasional samples of waves, bird calls, and — of all things — old time western pistol fire, plus a strange sub-basey clicking sound that’s the oddest touch of all. This song is truly magical in it’s ability to whisk one away to a dream like state, where all such disperse elements spin a cohesive story.
“Eustace,” which apparently brought Aslan’s to the attention of the powers-that-be at mp3.com who choose the featured artists, is a slightly heavier number, with a nice ambient breakdown halfway through and foot-tapping percussion throughout. The last of the free tracks offered is “Mother Monarch,” one of the slower songs, with an odd groove and quirky sounds, one of which sounds suspiciously like a dog bark.
The final 3 tracks of the album are also definitely worth collecting, if you’ve enjoyed the other 5 tracks Aslan’s has generously offered on mp3.com. (but you may want to check out the ironcladmindfloss site for additional tracks, if you know what i mean…) “Pan2” is a funky downbeat song with oodles of ambience that you won’t want to miss. “The Yard” has the trippiest beats and silliest melodies of the bunch, placing Aslan’s more firmly on the side of IDM than dnb. “Dragon Spirits,” may be the weakest song, but still plenty enjoyable as well.
“Son” is a strong first effort for this young talent from Indiana, and I believe it will make a nice launching pad for Aslan’s future in dnb and IDM. Be sure to check out these tracks while they are still available to you through the graces of artist-based technology on the internet.
[Originally posted to RadioSpy, a subsidiary site of GameSpy.com]