Monopass - Sounds Real [Umland Records 064]

Put out on the circuit via the ever expanding German Umland Records label on November 15th, 2k24 is "Sounds Real", the first full length album outing by the synthesizer-, theremin- and live processing-based artistic conglomerate operating under the name of Monopass. Comprised of Oxana Omelchuk, Luis Antunes Pena, Mark Polscher and Florian Zwißler the electronic ensemble serves two extended pieces on this one - "Rea Ranch" and "Sonara Junction" - which both embark on a dedicated journey into the realm of experimental electronic music with the A-side fully indulging in dense and ever bubbling atmospheres reminiscent of damp alien swampscapes densely populated by swarming metallic insects and other curious, yet unknown critters before further evolving into a stripped down take on Deep Listening Music and minimalist Ambient informed by both modular and electro-acoustic techniques only to end in a captivating whirling climax of densely layered sounds. On the flip Monopass are weighing in a more intense approach with an intro sequence resembling an unsynchronized array of different retrofuturist alarm tones and a swell of sirens immediately shifting the listeners nervous system into what could be described as high alert mode before adding unsettling distorted and washed out elements as well as ever intensifying tonal pitches building up to a spine-tingling peak which is slowly falling apart again, ending things on a rather deep, desolate and somewhat melancholia-infused note and therefore also ending up as our preferred cut of this highly recommended vinyl piece. Go check!