Music Reviews
d_rradio

d_rradio d_rradio

(Distraction) Rating - 7/10

For their eponymous full-length, d_rradio has assembled a nearly indistinguishable but carefully made set of calming psychedelic instrumentals.  The beats are skittery, almost glitchy at times, but always clicking and percolating beneath the track, almost afraid to disturb.

This is electronic, but not dance music per se.  The atmosphere is shimmery and lush, but given a pace and feel that is never more than languid.  A few tracks, such as A Life Alive, Way Out, and Lifted, attempt slightly to raise the pulse, and rate as the album's best moments, but they still drift into the general haze of their neighbors.

A typical track will start out with a full, painstakingly crafted tapestry of elements organic (an assortment of strings) and inorganic (warm synths and dull blips) that varies slightly over the course, creating a dulcimer spell.  It is lullaby music, sharing a feel with some ambient and light post-rock, but not as extreme as either.

The only real flaw is this lack of extremes.  The music easily washes over, and creates a pleasant headspace for the duration, but there is little to grasp beyond this innoffensive vibe, either viscerally or emotionally.  Like the cover, consisting only of happy colors fading into each other, it is beautiful but nothing sticks out to compel one to actively engage in it.

As such, this album does make rather remarkable wallpaper music.  The effect is heartening and relaxing, and the production is thoughtful and detailed, burying plenty of small touches, detail and texture in the shiny compositions.  Wonderful to sleep or study to.  Nothing to get worked up about.