Beaumont - Blush Response

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  • There's a studied vintage sheen that coats the debut of Michael Rintoul. The iridescent faux-script of his Beaumont logo alone suggests much careful consideration of cheesy straight-to-VHS soundtracks and Miami Vice re-runs. But similar to the electrofunk-indebted debut of Kinnego's other young discovery, Space Dimension Controller, Rintoul succeeds in something more subtle and more significant than pure retro pastiche. Words like "elegant" and "evocative" aren't usually easily applied to digitised harps and tinny handclaps, but in the neon-lit noir world of Blush Response, Rintoul finds beauty in the singular sound of Fairlight-era synthetics. Echoing the blush of the title, washes of reverb and layers of talkbox vocals flush with luminescence and blanch to barely-there ambience. "Tokyo" and "Lucky" could easily slot alongside the calmer moments of Jam City; they lack his grimy, druggy edge, but share an ability to penetrate a purpose-built urban pall with the barest of beat sketches. Guitar chords, plucked strings and synth choirs radiate from the core of "Foreign Intrigue," mitigating its juddering sub-bass, and the talkbox harmonies of "Aventurescence" are positively upbeat in comparison. "Midnight" and "Flesh + Blood" are particularly memorable, forming a hot-blooded intermission of break-up tears and make-up fumbles, set to snaky slow jam grooves. The two minutes of "Blush Response" are split between a hissing analog interlude and a brooding mood piece that ought to be the theme song of the rain-slicked film that Beaumont is seemingly concocting in his imagination. Blush Response is a striking debut for the young Glaswegian, and one that becomes more involving with each listen. It's also a hats-off moment for Kinnego head Boxcutter. Although he may only curate occasionally for his passion project label, he always seems to do so smartly.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Tokyo A2 Foreign Intrigue A3 Aventurescence B1 Lucky B2 Midnight B3 Flesh + Blood B4 Blush Response
RA