TEST TEST TEST

Dw. Dunphy, multi-instrumentalist and music writer presents a stack of lo-fi experimentation with his new release "Test, Test, Test". It was the first opportunity for me to experience his works. From an objective point of view, he is gumptious in the sense of musical experimentation by harnessing the legacies of progressive and electronic music scenes of our time. Several pieces (e.g. "Hacienda" and "The Radial Night" give clues about how well he studied folk & ethnic music.

The album is far from being monolith, as a matter of fact, the sounds are irrelevant from each other in most cases. However, this doesn't mean that listener would feel distracted. It does feel comfortable in a way Tangerine Dream feels the listener comfortable in a nearly chaotic way; and it provokes the musical habits of the listener by using a creative instrumentation. The understanding of composition of Dw. Dunphy is staggering; but, the tones or effects he chooses can be questioned as it feels quite 'synthetic'. Enthusiasts of experimental musical scenes such as krautrock and progressive electronic should give it a try.