Much electronic music starts from within the machine, the product of tinkering with abstract sound until “music” materializes. Melbourne, Australia-based Donald Hugh, however, drew the sources for his new record from the outside world — particularly the nautical wonderland of the Cook Islands, where the composer went roaming with field recorder in hand. Having then sent this raw island documentation through his various digital gadgets and whatsits, Hugh wound up with Coast, an EP’s worth of lovely, glitched-out, beat-augmented nature meditations arriving soon on Spirit Level, the label run by Gotye (!).
Ahead of the record’s release, Hugh has shared the video for his track “Hymn,” which we have the pleasure of premiering for you today. Passing his music through an additional level of electronic interpretation, the video gives us a radically computerized, blessed meditation on Oceanian flora and fauna — all high colors and post-clip art zen symbolism — that pairs wonderfully with the music’s mix of deep sea introspection and sea salty splendor. It will probably blow your drab, landlocked mind up a little bit…specifically the bit with the pineapple.
Coast will be available August 25 on Spirit Level, but you can pre-order it from Hugh’s Bandcamp now. After the video, check out the EP’s ocean-sprayed cover art and tracklisting, too. Both are super “yar.”
Coast tracklisting:
01. Prelude
02. Hymn
03. Coast
04. Drift
05. Lighthouse