Four years on from the release of its counterpart, Supermoon Moonlight Part Two emerges from the uniquely enchanting realm of Forest Robots – an album more than worth the time it takes to escape into right now.
Fran is the artist, the master of building soundscapes within which the natural and industrial worlds collide and collaborate in equal parts. For this project, however, we see a notable shift in style.
Rhythm and melody, dance-ready vibes almost, kick up the colour and energy of opening track All The Rivers Born In The Mountains.
Despite the changing pace though, the artist’s devotion to the juxtaposed extremes of the forest and the ‘robots’ is brilliantly maintained, and the music proves as immersive and hypnotic as ever.
Exploring the legacy a father hopes to leave behind for his children, Supermoon Moonlight Part Two offers ten electro-acoustic tracks, and raises the pulse considerably when compared to the more traditionally neoclassical and ambient flavors of previous releases. The long titles still work their magic, and the fusion of natural and electronic tones is as alluring as ever, it’s just there’s something of a celebratory vibrational frequency to this project.
Consider Everything Changes Color With The Rainfall – a wonderful title that immediately rings out for those who’ve stopped and looked in awe as the skies fell. There’s intrigue, less instant joy, but still that celebration or gratitude. Later we enter euphoric realms of finely painted synths and the higher pulsating presence of a dreamy, other-worldly warmth.
Always aware off his audience, Forest Robots allows the project to rise and fall. The softness of In All The Places That We Roam and Wander is welcomed and quite blissful after its predecessor.
In contrast again, the darkness into serenity and mystifying melody of Somewhere In The Early Morning Forest Mist makes for a beautifully meditative highlight – followed by the equally stunning simplicity and breath-like calm from Of Embers Warmth The Long Forgotten Memories; a subtle yet striking favourite (along with the later delicacy and humming embrace of Wind Always Runs Wilder Along The River’s Current.)
There’s joyful optimism and a strong groove once again for Every Ray Of Light In Between The Reeds and Trees, an addictively upbeat, retro-electro progression that again works best thanks to its contrasting impact. Then we get another highlight, in the form of a dreamy and satisfying yet unexpectedly diverse And The Clouds Then Turned Into Castles.
I’m prompted to wonder, at this point, whether Forest Robots can quickly hum or detail every track from his extensive repertoire, at merely its mention, and without listening back – the imagery often has similarities. The answer must surely be ‘of course’, but it’s impressive to think of.
In short, Forest Robots underlines a mighty degree of versatility with this album. The difference in detail and energy from one composition to the next is greater than ever, and still those traits of identity remain – the authentic calling cards of the artist. An instrumental journey to meet a multitude of your audio-escapism needs.
Download the album via Bandcamp. Check out Forest Robots on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & the Website.
