'Welcome to Cryo Lab, AKA Vanessa and James. ‘Changing a lot’ was made over the course of lockdown, a growing exchange of files via the internet.
‘Not’ is a dramatic opening, packed with dark textures and throaty gasps to create an emotional song which doesn’t hold back. A beat fit for the dance floor, yet with violin bows equally at home in a modern ballet at a concert hall. The progression sounds like two tracks overlaid, as things get more and more frantic, zoning in and out over the strings which remain a level constant, creating an exciting juxtaposition before finally bidding a satisfying farewell.
‘Might Just’ features a consistent set of electronic bleeps alongside Vanessa’s beautifully sultry tones. A duet of voice and bleeps akin to electronic stars fading in and out again, welcoming a compactor into the fray, amid some serious whirring before finally building into a very cosmic track with a tantalising cliffhanger.
RnB style voice on the third track ‘Next’ encompasses an impressive vocal range, crooning over experimental glitches made on an early digital synth. A throwback in some respects and arguably the Easy Listener of the album.
To close the EP is ‘5min.’ An addictive beat with some whale-esque sounds at the start building into a jet plane takeoff as the track moves on. Pogo-ing into a rollercoaster of a beat ‘5min’ heads deep into the sea with an inescapable pummeling on the ears before coming back to surface with a splash.
An amorphic debut from Cryo Lab, released via Laura Lies In.'
Text by Kim Kahan
Written and produced by Vanessa Bedoret and James Marrs
Mixed by Vanessa, James and Rupert Clervaux
Mastered by Rupert
supported by 13 fans who also own “Changing a lot”
Thanks for this James. Finally got around to playing it through a couple of times and love it. Spoken word material seamlessly interwoven with the sounds and music. Looking forward to more 2021 material. hughmulholland
The excellent Barcelona label House of (S)PUNK is back with a five-song comp showcasing the local hardgroove scene. Bandcamp New & Notable May 1, 2024