(self-released)
The surprise release of “Hong Kong,” the newest from JC Denison’s A7A serves as a slight stylistic departure from the hyper-kinetic “APTSONATAMIX.” That’s not to say that the maximalist features of his previous work aren’t present, but there is a bit more restraint here, with a few more quieter moments mixed in. That results in plenty of dynamic moments, an easy listen that never taxes your attention and stays vibrant throughout. The text to the album indicates that this is intended as a narrative to a character’s visit to Hong Kong, and, as such, there is an Eastern vibe to the music, be that in the choice of drum tones or the microtonal quality of some of the melodic work. Most importantly, this is an especially picturesque album that lends itself well to an almost-cinematic vibe.
