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The work of one man, New Jersey-based Dayve Hawke, Memory Tapes’ sound is immediately accessible but entirely capable of haunting your thoughts when it’s not filling your ears. Already the recipient of ‘net-wide blog praise, Hawke’s modus operandi is comparable to those of M83 and Cut Copy – this is shape-shifting synth-pop, big on beats but almost counteractively woozy of atmosphere. It’s effortlessly, achingly cool, but also clever enough never to rest on its laurels, as arrangements flitter in and out of focus, vocals drift without ever settling, and sleek synth lines dance rings around basslines borrowed from a library of 70s funk albums, as played by Hooky himself.
While its method of assembly may be comparable to the work of another bedroom maverick, Bradford Cox, Seek Magic is a more vibrant affair that Atlas Sound’s long-players. It follows a lineage closer to Deastro’s Moondagger album of the summer – upbeat but oddly understated, slipping and sliding and never quite fully in control, yet beguilingly complete and instant of repeat-play appeal. It’s evocative of a thousand records you’ve heard before, and hundreds you own, but bafflingly unique, as if the recognisable elements have never before been assembled quite as exquisitely.
Of course, there will come a time when Seek Magic begins to feel too familiar, and it’s entirely likely that this moment could occur after but a week, such is the must-listen-again nature of the collection. Don’t be surprised to see it top your personal most-played list in no time at all. But if that’s not a sign of a quality album, what is? Slow-burners are for those with time on their hands – Seek Magic rewards the impatient with true class and keeps them hooked ‘til they’ve had their fill.
Hawke’s already confronted the commercial coalface with remixes for Britney Spears and Michael Jackson, but don’t be surprised if he steps into the spotlight himself if there’s more where this collection has come from. Best pencil him in as delivering a future album of the year, now. --Mike Diver
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From the Cocteau Twins-like, dreamy sway of album opener `Swimming Field' to the wistful and psychedelic, keyboard bliss of `Green Knight', to the squelch-y synths and laser FX of the Italo-disco themed `Stop Talking', it is clear that Hawk, along with The XX, is blurring all the right boundaries. Not convinced? Try CFCF as exhibit B.
Seek Magic's hindquarters take it easy, showcasing the best of Hawk's deft reverb skills on the mumbling electronic indie of `Plain Material', a trick with a legacy, permeating and perverting the ambient album closer `Run Out'.
But Seek Magic is all about `Bicycle', a case of magic found. Hawk's masterpiece is part Alan Braxe Balearic-chorus and part Passion Pit space-pop, as well as combining a haunting bass line with New Order-like nonchalance. Its pulsing tempo change, along with another found in `Stop Talking', are as euphoric as 2009 is going to get.
Not an instant record but give it time.
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