SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: 10TOEFLEX – EN HABITANT AVEC DES FANTÔMES

10TOEFLEX
EN HABITANT AVEC DES FANTÔMES
INDEPENDENT

10toeflex is an artist of mystery. There is very little written about them and their presence on social media is difficult to find. Their debut EP, en habitant avec des fantômes, is equally mysterious. It is also quite brilliant. The all too short, instrumental EP may fall into the shoegaze or dream gaze category, it is much more than that. 10toeflex’s influences seem to be all over the place, and the fact remains that they take these influences and put them into their own pot and create their own atmospheric music.

The songs on the EP seem to drift and float, but all the while, they entice the listener. 10toeflex suggests listening to the EP in one sitting, straight through. I will add, one should have no interruptions. One should focus on the music or rather let the music flow into them. Although it is guitar based, there is a lot going on here, with samples of birds, wildlife, synthesizers, loops and so much more. It is hard to list everything one will hear. And that is the treat of this EP, each listen brings forward different sounds and different emotions and feelings.

The closing track, “costume de grenouille mouillée”, combines nature, guitars, and thundering sounds to wake one out of their dreamlike state after listening to the EP. It is a brilliant way to end the album and certainly stays with the listener long after the EP is finished. Whereas the longest track on the EP, “tié ensemble”, is an almost psychedelic exploration with very tasteful guitar and additional sounds. It is a beautiful track.

en habitant avec des fantômes is a beautiful EP, full of wonderful, melodic, and brooding songs. This is not music to get you going, but rather, music to stop, pause, and reflect. Perhaps the EP will help one with their own ghosts. This Montreal artist has come up with a very creative sound and well produced intriguing music.

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