Kate Pending’s self-produced new album, “Pigmented Reality” released on May 3, is a mind-bending storytelling trip through electronica and the future.
The album opens with “Lost Ways,” a sonic portal shimmering with liquid ripples of electronics. A robotic voice, echoing with reverb, sets the scene for this “pigmented reality,” a world where the status quo is up for grabs.
Next up is “Soma Sequence,” a pulsing track inspired by “Brave New World.” Imagine waves of thick, viscous sound crashing against a backdrop of chanting voices. Then, the beat kicks in, like a heart pumping in sync with the hypnotic mantra. This track has already made waves on BBC Radio 6’s HouseQuake session, so you know it’s good.
The title track, “Pigmented Reality,” throws you headfirst into a world of immersive sound. Layers of deep, heavy sound create a thick atmosphere before the artist creates momentum and tactful suspense with beats. Punctuated by sharp synth jabs, Pending’s soft sultry vocal refrains balance the music.
“Punk Kids” takes a sharp turn, with shimmering, glinting melodies twinkling over a bed of fat beats. Then, a driving, gravelly electronic buzz takes hold, bringing the rebellious edge.
Finally, the closing track, Pigmented Reality (Iron Curtis Augmented Dub Remix – Remix [Dub] takes things to a whole new level. Electronic flourishes, distorted effects, and robotic glitches take us out into space or into a sci-fi movie. It’s a sonic assault that’s as bizarre as it is brilliant, leaving you with a lasting impression of this “pigmented” world.
Listen to “Pigmented Reality” by Kate Pending if you can’t get enough of a heady mix of electronica, social commentary, and dystopian visions.
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Photo Credit: Frank Freitag (Insta @franz.fresco)
Review By: Naomi Joan