Electrifying, ethereal bliss

In 1991, the English electronic music duo Plaid hit the road in London, U.K., and have been unstoppable ever since. Throughout the group’s travels, they have released several groundbreaking albums and collaborated with icons such as Björk, Nicolette and Mara Carlyle. Since the start of their career, Plaid has displayed their insatiable nature when experimenting with music in diverse cultural and intellectual ways, influenced by the subcultures and underground scenes waiting to be discovered. The duo consists of Andy Turner and Ed Handley, who remain reputable today due to their experimental sound and international attraction. 

Plaid incorporates soul, funk and classical values into their arrangements while employing multiple time-signatures, syncopated beats and melodies, by using a compilation of instruments and samples. The English duo is known for their experimental electronic abstractions that create an out-of-body experience for musical connoisseurs. 

On November 11, 2022, Plaid released their latest album, Feorm Falorx to listeners worldwide. The record consists of ten songs that illustrate the feelings of being transferred into the midst of a video game universe, completing quests to face the final boss in order to return to the correct timeline. The album’s sound creates a mind-altering adventure through the group’s use of elevating and thrilling noises. This aural bliss creates an electrifying, yet ethereal atmosphere where possibilities seem limitless. 

“Perspex” starts off the album with a gluttonous feeling of wanting more. The track begins with a light piano sequence and is slowly layered on top of a steady bass progression. A few seconds later the track speeds up with the addition of an intense synth harmony that creates the sensation of elevation. Their incorporation of the shrill, harmonic sound in the midst of the track creates an ethereal melody, like angels descending to Earth. Plaid’s use of layering is unparalleled in their composition of “Perspex.”

“Modenet” follows up with a “get on your feet and dance” type of energy. The song begins with a funky harmony that consists of various fierce synth melodies layered on top of one another. The repetitive harmony is then fused with a bassy electro progression, gradually increasing in noise. The jumbled sound creates that otherworldly feeling for listeners, not allowing useless thoughts to seep into their minds.

Each of the tracks have distinct, compelling constructions; however, songs like “Nightcrawler” and “Return to Return” are matchless when it comes to sound and composition. “Nightcrawler” gets it going with a soft grunt accompanied by a strong, plucky chord progression mixed with an intense cyber-electro melody. The pace is abruptly escalated with an enlivening boost to the harmony and change in chord sequence. There is a brief pause where the only sound listeners can discern is an absorbing guitar oscillation rapidly growing louder. The track later transitions into the repetitive electro melody layered on top of a light, celestial synth harmony. Ultimately, the song moves back and forth between fervent and airy melodies, providing a mind-boggling sensation for listeners. “Nightcrawler” is the epitome of the heart-racing sound Plaid was seeking to forge for Feorm Falorx.  

The eighth track, “Return to Return” is vigorous right off the bat. The track begins with a compilation of shrill, energizing sounds meshed together, and it seems as though there is an angelic message hidden underneath the harsh plucking of strings. Almost halfway through the song, there is a quick pause in the harmony that switches into a sped up chord progression combined with a dissimilar, ethereal electro melody. This all-encompassing track exemplifies the feeling of disorientation in the most pleasing manner. It grasps listeners’ attention and transports them to the unreal, euphoric dimension built by Plaid.  

All of the songs on this enthralling, blood-pumping album radiate Plaid’s expressive and unconventional approach to their musical ventures while experimenting with eclectic sounds and genres. With the unveiling of Feorm Falorx, the London electronic duo reaches for a transcendental sound that will leave listeners wanting more.