When it comes to the latest offering from Joe Morris’ Shades Of Sound, you’re presented a lovely title right off the bat, with Seafoam Dreams by Argentinian producer, On The Reg. As a purveyor of beach-tinged, escapist nonsense myself, that title is right up my street, and it’s a fitting description of what you’re in for here.
The music is the typical “Nu Balearic” that Joe specializes in releasing, both by himself and with others on Shades Of Sound Recordings, but with a strong penchant for the 90’s (perhaps the strongest ever seen on the label so far). It’s highly polished, wavy, aquatic, and slightly video game-like even, which furthers that escapist theme I mentioned earlier. “Breakz In Bairez” would be right at home somewhere between Wave Race 64 and NFS: High Stakes, with its dense percussion, playful squeaks, soft pads, and Big Beat risers.
After getting you primed with “Breakz”, the rest of the EP eases you into a Chillout and Dream House fever dream. Beautiful staccato pianos and synth flutes abound, while vocal samples float effortlessly across the synth bass and drum machine samples. You might even hear some Club influence on a track like “Nebula”, which brought to mind a touch of Macarena for me. The EP closes with the rollicking Dream House of the title track, “Seafoam Dreams”. The strong bass, digital piano, organ, and glassy lead will carry you to seaside zen; the song evokes strong images of a sunset on a terrace, real or imagined. A fitting title indeed.
Seafoam Dreams is out now, everywhere.
FAINT WAVES 
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