Paul Cousins - Improvisation of 3 Tape Loops
With creativity, sometimes it's best to distil down to the essence and expand on those simple elements to create something otherworldly. In many cases, that's what London-based sound artist Paul Cousins does regularly. Armed with little more than a few old reel-to-reel and a shed load of creativity, Cousins can create dynamic and thought-provoking music. After a string of singles in 2023, Pull Cousins released his debut, Vanishing Artefacts, asking, "What if audio imperfections were lost forever?" Cousins answers emphatically through a collection of warm and fuzzy tape loops that jitter and flutter organically.
So now, with an album under his belt, Cousins delivers his first release in 2024, Improvisation of 3 Tape Loops. The 15-minute record allows cousins to develop ideas freely. The single re-opens the question about audio imperfections, upping the ante with more ambient noise, gurgle, and splutter. One of the most impactful things about Cousin's body of work is that he doesn't use tape as a gimmick. You can feel the love and intent behind using old analogue equipment. The piano shimmers like wind blowing across an icy lake as the tape delays babble away like a campfire. This is 15 minutes of sepia-toned memories. It is a beautiful must-listen for anyone interested in experimental production or if you love charming nostalgia.
Tracklist:
Improvisation of 3 Tape Loops
Label: Self-Release (2024)
Paul Cousins - Improvisation of 3 Tape Loops