Harmonious Discord founding family member and fantastical frontiersman Patchen Preston returns to the label for his long-anticipated album, Southwest Passage. Coalescing material life events into a sonic journey for the deep-minded, Patchen is a master at making the simple textures resonate and evolve. His album is a great immersion into his unique sound. Patchen focuses on influences of dub, ambient, and house practices while keeping a dignified abstraction present throughout. Southwest Passage is the embodied story of this journey, ready to take you along.
The album features dulcet lullabies like “Chime Garden” and “Salinas” that apply the primer while “Wide Eyes” and “Side Quests” quickly float into dub territory with subtle introductions of percussive constructs. “Navigator” acts a bridge into dark thickets utilizing droning and pulsating synth constructions. The following “End of the Beginning” and “Night Skies” serve as full proper late-night excursions tempering the concerns between deep listening and body shaking. “Quagmire” ascends as a quick ambient reprise, while “Techno Tony” and “Lady Peso’s Afternoon” showcase Patchen’s signature slow-burn, house-inspired brand. “Office Life” offers a quick surprise, cranking up the tempo and lightening the mood. “Chapters to Come” drifts the listener into deep night surrender as a blissful reminder of the care and depth baked into this journey.
Gabriel Ferreira (Items & Things) – “I’m in love. Super album.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Dreamy ambience that suits my head.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “Lovely album. I think Chime Garden is my fave.”
Jamie Topham (Summer Soulstice) – “Well produces, blissed out vibes.”
Justin Wilkes (Kiss 100 FM) – “So atmospheric. Great album.”
Tim Angrave (The Chillout Lounge Mix) – “Superb, deep, ambient and emotional.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Just a lovely selection of tunes. Wide Eyes and Lady Peso’s Afternoon are standouts, and I can’t wait to share them with listeners.”
Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.