Emerald by boycalledcrow

"Electronic composer boycalledcrow returns with another release of striking, otherworldly narrative, told through looping synth melodies, dramatic percussion, and cinematic swells of ambient magic.

Emerald is a sonic journey into the upper reaches of our skies. There, in the thinning air, exists a sky world, full of its own character and intrigue. Ascend into the heavenly reaches with lighter-than-air movements of 'Clouds,' follow a mysterious spirit through misty passageways between thunderclouds in 'Ghost,' and emerge into the sky world to behold its wonders. 

At the centre of this place beyond our imagining, is a powerful green gemstone floating in ethereal majesty above the billows. Yes more than a stone, it is a temple. This edifice is so far removed from our earth, that at points the outer galaxy can be seen, trillions of miles from our eyes, as told in the mystical levitating notes of 'Distant'.

The planet beneath seems small as it slowly turns, and all the problems of the world seem so trivial. We notice brightly colored creatures darting about in the wisps of fog, curiously textured butterflies and birds flying at impossible height silhouetted against the golden sun." - Gray Lee (http://houdinimansions.com/)

Music and Production by Carl M Knott (boycalledcrow)
Mixed by Angel Marcloid
Mastered by Anthony Morrow

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"The latest long-player by boycalledcrow sees him pushing his melodic sensibilities further than before. Simon Tucker reviews.

Clouds opens Emerald. Clouds part. Clouds plays like an intro track at a live gig. Clouds disperse. Clouds is beautiful. Clouds is rinsed through with a glistening melody and layered with shards of optimism. Welcome to Emerald…

Emerald is the new album from boycalledcrow. It is also one of the finest Pop albums to be released this year. There will be those that box it in the electronica file, and that’s fair enough, but Emerald is so much more than that. It is the Pop music of Tangerine Dream and Neu! It is the beautifully melodic Pop of Aphex Twin at his most playful. Emerald is the Pop of Brian Wilson just with computers replacing the human voice. boycalledcrow has made a slight, addictive and spiritual album that taps into the skyward looking joy of a Gospel record yet grounds it in the repetition of machine music.

The intent is obvious from the opening trio of Clouds, Flurt and Ghost. These songs inject a sense of optimism instantly into the listener and there is a moment of snark or malice. You can physically feel the joy in the bottom of your gut. By the time we reach album highlights Africa, Butterfly and the gloriously grinding Vapor we are in a forced state of empathy and serenity. None of which feels unfairly pushed upon us or plays in any way saccharine or contrived. Emerald places you in a better world and for its ten song running time you are happy to be there.

Releases like Emerald can fly under the radar. Released on the DIY labels Wormhole World and Holloway Tapes this is an album that only those that already follow the work of boycalledcrow may investigate. This would be (stands on imaginary soapbox) a shame as this is one of the most infectious albums released this year. Electronica heads have enough here to claim it as own of their own but at its core it is bigger it is more than that. It is expansive, inclusive, beautiful, relatable, and highly addictive…in other words Emerald is great POP music.

Thoroughly recommended."

https://louderthanwar.com/boycalledcrow-emerald-album-review/

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"Beautifully organic, throbbing synths open boycalledcrow’s Emerald. Slowly the intricate instrumentation pierces through the film of watery sound. Clean tones descend…
Beautifully organic, throbbing synths open boycalledcrow’s Emerald. Slowly the intricate instrumentation pierces through the film of watery sound. Clean tones descend like droplets of rain, distorted echoes revolve quietly in the background. Cloud keeps a beautiful pace that doesn’t break, inviting the listener to walk unafraid through a carefully crafted meadow with a delicate aesthetic.

Flurt begins with stumbling, wide bass and percussion that seems to play in anticipation of a climax. Instead of meeting the expectation, a gorgeous steel drum fills the mid-range of the track, as the bass playfully jumps from distorted to glitchy and high-pitched. boycalledcrow certainly lures you in with the impression that these tracks will play out with nothing much to show, but the levels to the instrumentation are undeniable.

Ghost begins with somnambulant chords hidden behind an intimidating bass and drum partnership. Disembodied voices moan with all emotion extracted from them. The track speeds up, pushed ever onward by the rhythm of the bassline. The speed steadily creases after a while, leaving echoed xylophones moving in unison with the lower parts of the track. The xylophone steadily skips off into the distance as the track closes.

Humble beginnings to Distant. A portamento sine-wave reminiscent of Boards of Canada makes its way through with a beautiful, high-pitched piano as a companion. The theme of journeys is explicit throughout the album, well-meaning melodies fight their way through triumphant strings and driving percussion. And though Distant is tinged with the feeling of never quite making it, the beauty is in the journey. The listener is kissed with sun-drenched euphoria as a reward.

Birds chirps along, boycalledcrow’s engaging sense of rhythm and layering abounds even in this near 1-minute excursion.

Africa leads with a more dissonant sound, the bass being peeled off of the synth loop constantly with a strange but endearing Velcro-vibrancy. The track finds a way through, a happy xylophone strikes, guiding us through MIDI-undergrowth. Before coming out to a clearing where the proceedings fall back into an African-inspired rhythm before fading out.

Butterfly’s bass rips through the silence whilst also keeping its composure. Sounding like a perfectly mixed element in a full, crowded track. boycalledcrow let’s the part breathe, fringed with hi-hats. As often seems to happen on Emerald, the more intimidating bass sounds are dressed with light, innocent melodies.

Vapor gives no time for respite as bass drums and cymbals draw us into a fast-paced and engaging environment. Again, the instrumentation and melodies at play give a rise to a sense of adventure and anticipation. As loops disappear only to jump at us from around the corner, we are forced not to make a home in any track, but to keep moving onwards and upwards to the next level.

Amber eases in with quiet strings and melodies. Disappearing into nothingness behind them, the body of sound continues its journey past the listener like a satellite through space, pushed onwards by lower, echoed notes emanating from the deep.

Grid beeps in time like a radar, boycalledcrow has taken us a way from his friendly, digitised meadow. We float gently through space, kissed by signal beeps and drum patterns. We are slowly left in a chasm of sound that we can’t find our way out of. The cymbals morph into a dissonant background chorus like the jet blasters from the ship or suit we are encased in. Whatever boycalledcrow showed us on his strange emerald planet, it recedes steadily behind us into the nothingness of space, and a cautiously optimistic melody plays us into the stratosphere."

https://www.listencorp.co.uk/post/boycalledcrow-emerald

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"Emerald is the latest full-length project from electronic producer boycalledcrow. Had this one recommended a little while back and I have been thoroughly enjoying it ever since! It’s a playfully vibrant collection of tracks that evokes lofty feelings of magic cyber fantasy – at many times I felt the world around me was transforming into a N64 platformer.

There is a big video game vibe on this one – with melodic synths ringing over the tracks like wind chimes – buzzing bass guiding us around this strange new world. Subtle energy is also a big theme, with vibes and feelings flourishing rather than being smothered by overcompensation. Percussion is often sparse and merely a suggestion – rhythms and energies being delegated across the sonic spectrum.

I adore boycalledcrows wide spectrum of sounds – with acoustic instruments mingling flawlessly with lush electronics – it’s not electroacoustic but it definitely adds some premium texture and depth when in appears! The whole thing is very mellow, with a relaxed positive aesthetic and all around ease, making it wonderful for repeat listens."

https://eternitytree.net/2019/06/07/emerald-by-boycalledcrow/

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Released on Wormhole World, where the album is available on CD:-

https://wormholeworld.bandcamp.com/album/emerald
https://wormholeworld.bandcamp.com/album/emerald
https://wormholeworld.bandcamp.com/album/emerald

boycalledcrow is the alias of Chester-based sound artist Carl M Knott (Wonderful Beasts, Spacelab). Knott, a former folk musician, uses his myriad acoustic influences to create unique, strange and beautiful compositions.

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