It’s not every artist who is capable of impressing one with their album to the extent that they could envision that music in a soundtrack (or soundtracks in this case). But that is exactly the case with Brooklyn-based electronic artist Roman Angelos. With elements that are sure to recall the music of Stereolab, AIR, Brian Eno and Vangelis, his music actually doesn’t sound close enough to any of them to say he was heavily influenced by any one of them. Well done to him for originality.
Now he is back with a new album that is fluid and meditative, yet so catchy – taking the best concept of elevator music to new lounge-loving heights, Roman Angelos puts the thrill in chill on what would be ideal sonic accompaniment to future modernist design. This sophomore album‘Music for Underwater Supermarkets’ is an ode to joyous childhood memories, this record was recorded live to tape, all together in one room, with most of the tracks being first takes. We are delighted to present the lead track‘Swimming Through The Aisles’, a snaking composition in 7/4 that propels the listener through water like a diver looking for signs of life in the deep.
It comes as no surprise to us that this album is being released by London boutique electronic music label Happy Robots Records, who recently brought us new releases from Rodney Cromwell, Mood Taeg and Alice Hubble This ten-track collection paints a sonic dreamscape where the mundane act of grocery shopping meets the future.
Roman Angelos is the solo project of producer Rich Bennett, developed as a vehicle for Rich to explore his obsession with library recordings of the 60’s and 70s, muzak and exotica. Exotic, dreamy, and wistful, this is the sound of a jazz sextet as channeled through synths and drum machines, creating a spacey feel.
2020’s debut for Happy Robots ‘Spacetronic Lunchbox’ was a burst of sonic nostalgia that boasted 11 songs in 10 minutes. It gained praise from Freq, The Electricity Club, Electronic Sound, Shindig!, as well as radio play from BBC6 Music from Cerys Matthews and Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone, plus Bob Fisher at BBC Tees.
Beyond the world of library electronica, Rich has been involved in a diverse group of musical projects, including the newly reunited outsider/60s proto-punk group The Shaggs, dream pop outfit Mahogany, and Brazilian funk group Limoncello, in addition to production work with Stereolab’s Morgane Lhote (aka Hologram Teen).
‘Music for Underwater Supermarkets’ continues and extends Roman’s obsession with the library and soundtrack music of the past. This time, he fuses that aesthetic with childhood memories of being pushed around in shopping carts and visiting strip malls. Vibraphones chime alongside woodwinds and vintage synthesizers, creating an immersive sound that feels exotic and smooth.
“This record is very near and dear to my heart because it is filled with so many personal childhood memories. A lot of the musical ideas and vibe are drawn from aural memories I had while shopping with my parents when I was younger,” says Rich Bennett.
“The underwater idea came to me while I started working on the tunes – so much of the writing seemed to have this hazy yet buoyant quality, and the idea of placing a supermarket underwater seemed to give the music both a bit of whimsy and seriousness. Which I’d say I always try and straddle”.
You can mark January 12 on your calendar – on this day, ‘Swimming Through The Aisles’ will be available across the net, including Spotify and Apple Music. The full album ‘Music for Underwater Supermarkets’ will be released on January 28 with distribution by Cargo Records. Available on coloured vinyl and digitally, it can already pre-ordered at https://happyrobotsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-underwater-supermarkets
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