Five years since the release of their last studio effort, Offered Schematics Suggesting Peace, Georgia bred Sound Tribe Sector 9 is back with the self-produced Artifact, a refreshing and insightful glimpse into the ever-evolving musical entity. Capturing over two years of dedicated in-studio work, Artifact clearly depicts the band’s progression from jazzy jamband to post-electronic pioneers. In doing so, it offers a glance into the future of music, how it’s produced and how it can be perceived.
Comprised of 20 tracks clocking in at just over 70 minutes, the album delivers a diversified compilation of lap top laden grooves, sultry piano melodies and plenty of rock-driven appeal. “Better Day” begins the album with an emotional and enlightening feel as gliding piano gestures meet James Taylor-esque acoustic guitar from Hunter Brown and soothing vocals from San Francisco’s Audio Angel. “Tokyo” stands out in an album bursting with musical moments; from the eerie, digital looped opening to the hip hop influenced, scratch filled ending. “Native End,” a shelved old favorite, reemerged for Artifact as smooth as ever while “Peoples” showcases STS9’s deep electronic side, with Brown, keyboardist David Phipps and bassist David Murphy each adding rich Apple G4 textures on top of Jeffree Lerner’s polyrhythmic percussion.
“GLOgli,” a live STS9 favorite anchors the album, as futuristic e-drum beats collide with an array of pre-programmed G4 and vocal samples. Keeping with the electronic feel, “Somesing” shines brightly with a post-production sheen that continues right on through the cloud topping “Trinocular” and a super-groovy “Vibyl.” Gorgeous baby grand piano and suave, on point drumming from Zach Velmer lay the foundation for Audio Angel’s beautiful vocals on “Possibilities.” Rather fittingly, “Music, Us” completes Artifact, portraying the newfound softer and more melodic side of a band coming into their own.
Artifact is the first taste of studio success for a band that’s made their name in the live setting. Revealing a true sense of maturity and growth, the album captures a collection of musicians readily defying expectations while engagingly blurring genre lines.
Artifact is due to be released on February 8th on 1320 Records.
