"Engine7 is a project by Alan McNeill from Glasgow. We're releasing his Hope Street EP in a renewed cooperation with 12rec., after the netlabel he previously dealt with, µHz, had to cease operations. Alan got in contact with Legoego's Dataman (who also did the mastering) to find a new home for his tracks, so here we are.
His music is not easy to describe. To me, it sounds a little 90's, but without being retro. Consider artists like tricky, portishead or dj shadow you might get an impression of the mood and the sound Engine7, at least partly, represents. The glitch of postmodern UK electronica seems to play no further role in his productions. Nevertheless, it's the influence of independent rock, or even pop music that makes his EP this remarkable. Alan doesn't try to make innercity coffee bars sound better. He digs himself into sound and melody, bringing odd musical ideas like uncut diamonds to the surface; it feels like listening to a my bloody valentine-record for the first time: you can't believe where these harmonies come from!
Postrock and triphop, to name the genres you mustn't name, share - next to melodic deepness - a somehow repetetive flow, emerging from sample patterns as well as minimal instrumentals. Alan manages to link these genres without writing 'avantgarde' on his forehead. He gives them an ambient reprise, not afraid of adding expanded voice-sampling (stella, we're sorry), slight singing or neo-classical film music (you'll hear sounds like a reference to joe hisaishi). Great release, thank you Alan, thank you 12rec.!
If you want more then 192kbp/s mp3 then visit 12rec and order the handmade CD-R release!
- 'Hope Street' is in Glasgow city centre in Scotland. It's the most polluted street in Europe. Many listeners have commented that my music makes them think of weather. The cover art of 'Hope Street' shows the weather turning - but are the rainclouds forming or dispersing? We are looking into the sun, aspiring to be free and without cares, but it's painful. What are we hoping for? A better life? Calm? Or oblivion? We're knocked around by our daily life - does that change what we hope for? Does our hope become naivety? On one hand we have hope, a fantasy of a less painful life, on the other hand we have the grit, dirt, dust and grime of reality. 'Hope Street', as a whole, is about the balance. /by Alan McNeill" (From the Legoego's release page)