CRi - Tell Her

CRi
Tell Her
2016
Spotify

When you first listen to CRi is clear where his influences are coming from. The Montreal producer makes his music along the same lines as Caribou, really intense soundscapes populated with occasional flashes of dancey brightness. The IDM genre allows producers to really explore just what dance music is or can be. It is a much more freeing genre and that comes through on this EP. CRi almost feels his way around until He arrives as the sound he wants to create, as you listen you can almost heard the process unfolding in front of you. This also gives the music a much more organic and natural feel. Being electronic obviously there is some disconnect from the analogue aspect of music, but with Tell Her you don't really notice, it grabs your hand and takes you on a journey whether you like it or not. Making this release an EP was also an interesting choice for CRi. being on six tracks allows the record to be super direct and super concise. Even though He does explore quite a bit you never get the sense that you are off track or that where you arrive was always going to be the destination.

The tracks with vocals, there are two, and those without feel very distinct in their own ways. The lyrics give the music more of a story line while the straight music gets to a more visceral and raw experience. The aptly named "Pulse" throbs with this constant beat and you can't help but let your body get a little bit loose. For some of the record however CRi takes things to a smaller level. You are wanting him to push the tempo and make things a bit bigger but He keeps things at one level that I can on describe as bedroom production. The sound is immaculate but it is still to small and would really benefit from throwing a pinch more energy into the mix. The vocal from Gabriella Hook on "Don't" is simply masterful. It is light and delicate but has this passage of the night quality that hypnotizes you and you need it back as the song ends. Tell Her is a really great little record and shows that CRi may be relatively new on the scene, but he definitely has something to say. Don't miss this one.

7.9 out of 10