- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Phocus
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- Skalp037
- Release Date
- 7 kwietnia 2023
Zestawy
-
Bleep Album Of The Year 2023 Bundle:
$42.99-
Phocus Winyl, 2×LP, Limited Edition Heavyweight vinyl
-
Phasia Winyl, Picture Disc
- + WAV / FLAC
Dostępny: 1 grudnia 2023
-
-
Winyl 2×LP, Limited Edition
$24.99 -
CD
$12.49Więcej- + WAV / FLAC
SKALD037
- Digipak
-
Kaseta
NiedostępneWięcej- + WAV / FLAC
SKASSETTE037
-
Pobierz
$9.99320 kbps, LAME-encoded
Gatunki
Stitching together VHS tape footage from horror B movies, instructional videos, and all manner of sonic obscurities from his vast archive, VHS Head makes a celebrated return to Skam Records with his first album in almost a decade following 2014’s Persistence of Vision, and one of the heaviest to land on the label in their relatively quiet years since. Furthering his tireless quest in cutting up VHS tapes to make visceral electronica, his third album Phocus is the soundtrack to an “unfinished science fiction film made in the Fylde coast area”. It’s not so much a linear cinematic narrative, however, but rather a multilayered corpus of magic, monsters, and mayhem, a Choose Your Own Adventure album that prompts you to fill in the gaps and solve the riddle.
It’s not just a cleverly punned name: in many ways, Ade Blacow assumes the persona of the tape head, reading, writing, and recording plunderphonic glory through the minuscule magnetic fields of tape. He conjures the images of endless bookshelves of curiosities, of arcane memorabilia hidden in nooks and crannies, of musique concrète cutups piled to the ceilings. Since his very first release in 2009, he has cemented himself as a clear master of musical manipulation, with the well travelled and widely sourced nature of his collection evidencing his unparalleled knowledge of sound and screen, and his ability to completely twist and transform whatever he comes across.
With the breadth of recontextualised material VHS Head employs, there’s a pervading sense of lore to his music. Mystery and enigma lie in carefully selected dialogue samples, grasping at grand, dramatic stories that lie beneath the kaleidoscopic haze. The film that Phocus scores explores the titular character and “the duality of actions on and off screen”, set to an intense “behind the scenes journey” mixing the sounds of 80s synthwave, electro, and vaporwave into an electrified whirlwind of sample splendour. As time has moved on since this album’s release, the lore has expanded with the follow up Phasia EP, an episodic elaboration travelling even further into Phocus’s psyche.
And where exactly does our main character go? As Phocus roams The Fylde, we catch fantasised glimpses of VHS Head’s home pastures: perhaps Blackpool becomes a thriving posthuman hub, its famed piers are repurposed into spacecraft launchpads, the surrounding floodplains are the site of witchcraft, digitised spells, and cyborgian leviathans. Drenched in the aesthetics of cassette futurism, the album envisions a starry, frenetic dreamland for the UK’s lesser explored sci fi terrain.
As soon as we enter the album, we are splintered into its engulfing storyline. ‘Cold Open (Dust to Dust)’ ephemerally paradigm shifts between scenes each time the camera shutter closes and reopens, while a creaky voice intones “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”: a potent omen to open this sonic odyssey. ‘Fake Sweat’ continues that thread with its murky, pummelling beats, its slithering bass, action-packed with destructive synthwave and the growls of “You have the courage... You belong to me... Pull the trigger.”
Glitching rainbow VHS artefacts show in the stuttering sunset guitars and trickling shards of synths filtered across the album, guided by dense jungles of heavy drums and glossy storms of arpeggios ripping right through. ‘Skinflex’ is hazy and dazed with the chopped up tape sounds that VHS Head takes his name from, packing serious punches as molten bass revs into iridescent mist and static. ‘Shoes For Dinosaurs’ references old-style monster movies with hyperspeed glitters, torn up screams, and microbeat splatters, while the blistering magnet storm clears for ‘Devour the Heart’, turning down a magical route as ethereal saxophone echoes mimic light bent through layers of tape and synth shimmer.
With his long-awaited third album Phocus, VHS Head constructs an elaborate, otherworldly mythos for a “low budget thriller”, opening up yet another CRT screen treasure trove.
Screen shot artwork from the film
Audio mastering by Bola
Lista utworów
-
1
Cold Open (Dust to Dust)
5:03
Kup
Cold Open (Dust to Dust)
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
2
Skinflex
4:15
Kup
Skinflex
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
3
Fake Sweat
4:00
Kup
Fake Sweat
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
4
Drown a Star
3:34
Kup
Drown a Star
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
5
I See You
3:42
Kup
I See You
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
6
Strange Tangents
2:38
Kup
Strange Tangents
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
7
Kilgrimol Dissolve
3:35
Kup
Kilgrimol Dissolve
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
8
Shoes for Dinosaurs
2:28
Kup
Shoes for Dinosaurs
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
9
Making a Monster
4:55
Kup
Making a Monster
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
10
Paradise Drive
5:11
Kup
Paradise Drive
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
11
Devour the Heart
2:19
Kup
Devour the Heart
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
12
Zagatile Marionette
3:03
Kup
Zagatile Marionette
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
13
Dark Hair Magma Soul
4:32
Kup
Dark Hair Magma Soul
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
-
14
The False Eye Closes
3:00
Kup
The False Eye Closes
-
WAV / FLAC
$1.99 -
MP3
$1.35
-
Track List
A1. Cold Open (Dust to Dust) – 5.03
A2. Skinflex - 4.15
A3. Fake Sweat - 4.00
B4. Drown a Star - 3.34
B5. I see You - 3.42
B6. Strange Tangents - 2.38
B7. Kilgrimol Dissolve - 3.35
C8. Shoes For Dinosaurs - 2.28
C9. Making a Monster - 4.55
C10. Paradise Drive - 5.11
D11. Devour the Heart - 2.18
D12. Zagatile Marionette - 3.03
D13. Dark Hair Magma Soul - 4.32
D14. The False Eye Closes - 3.00
-
Phocus
VHS Head
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Phasia
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- 8718723242271
- Release Date
- 13 listopada 2023
- LP (special)
- Zestaw
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Sarah Eat Neon
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- Ska034
- Release Date
- 11 grudnia 2015
- EP
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Persistence of Vision
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- Skald030
- Release Date
- 26 maja 2014
- LP
- CD
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Midnight Section
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKA031
- Release Date
- 12 września 2011
- 12”
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Trademark Ribbons of Gold
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALD025
- Release Date
- 3 września 2010
- LP
- CD
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- VHS Head
- ReleaseProduct
- Video Club
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALD023
- Release Date
- 21 września 2009
- CD
- Pobierz
VHS Head
Skam Records
-
- Artist
- Tatamax
- ReleaseProduct
- Fairy Glen Appearances (20 Year Digital Edition)
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- 8718723243643
- Release Date
- 15 grudnia 2023
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- SDEM
- ReleaseProduct
- VORTICES
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALP038
- Release Date
- 28 lipca 2023
- LP
- CD
- Kaseta
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Various Artists
- ReleaseProduct
- Skam Records Bundle
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKAMBUNDLE
- Release Date
- 8 kwietnia 2020
- Zestaw
-
- Artist
- The Fear Ratio
- ReleaseProduct
- They Can't Be Saved
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALP036
- Release Date
- 20 marca 2020
- LP
- Kaseta
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- AFRODEUTSCHE
- ReleaseProduct
- Break Before Make
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALP035
- Release Date
- 20 września 2019
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- North Manc Beds
- ReleaseProduct
- GazOhmEater EP
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- NMB5
- Release Date
- 5 lipca 2019
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- The Fear Ratio
- ReleaseProduct
- Live E.P.
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- Ska035
- Release Date
- 9 marca 2018
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Bola
- ReleaseProduct
- D.E.G.
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- SKALD034
- Release Date
- 26 maja 2017
- Pobierz
Electronic and Electronica
-
- Artist
- Oneohtrix Point Never
- ReleaseProduct
- Again (Blu-ray Edition)
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD365BR
- Release Date
- 4 kwietnia 2024
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Oneohtrix Point Never
- Merch
- Again (Special Edition Blu-ray)
- Label
- Warp Records
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
-
- Artist
- Dopplereffekt
- ReleaseProduct
- INFINITE TETRASPACE
- Label
- Curtis Electronix
- Catalogue Number
- CRTSX011
- Release Date
- 1 marca 2024
- EP
-
- Artist
- DMX Krew
- ReleaseProduct
- Spiral Dance
- Label
- Hypercolour
- Catalogue Number
- HYPELP026
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
- LP
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Orbital
- ReleaseProduct
- Orbital
- Label
- London Music Stream Ltd.
- Catalogue Number
- 179501
- Release Date
- 15 grudnia 2017
- LP
- CD
- Vinyl Boxset
- CD Boxset
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Sevendeaths
- ReleaseProduct
- Concreté Misery Decayed Edition
- Label
- LUCKYME®
- Catalogue Number
- LM020XD
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
- Kaseta
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Khotin
- ReleaseProduct
- Alterac Acid / Mornings II
- Label
- Khotin Industries
- Catalogue Number
- KIND 007
- Release Date
- 19 kwietnia 2024
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Olof Dreijer
- ReleaseProduct
- Rosa Rugosa EP
- Label
- Hessle Audio
- Catalogue Number
- 5050580814912
- Release Date
- 17 października 2023
- EP
- Pobierz
Braindance and Breakcore
-
- Artist
- D'arcangelo / Karsten Pflum
- ReleaseProduct
- Acid Avengers 029
- Label
- Acid Avengers
- Catalogue Number
- AAR029
- Release Date
- 12 kwietnia 2024
- EP
-
- Artist
- D'TCH
- ReleaseProduct
- Sweat EP
- Label
- Hooversound Recordings
- Catalogue Number
- HOO18
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Raji Rags
- ReleaseProduct
- Making Love to a Ghost
- Label
- OTIH Records
- Catalogue Number
- 5050580823334
- Release Date
- 1 kwietnia 2024
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Various Artists
- ReleaseProduct
- The Otherside
- Label
- Eat Dis
- Catalogue Number
- 5056467379512
- Release Date
- 15 marca 2024
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Squarepusher
- ReleaseProduct
- Dostrotime
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD366
- Release Date
- 1 marca 2024
- LP
- CD
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Chromedealer
- ReleaseProduct
- Sketches of Silver
- Label
- WeMe
- Catalogue Number
- WeMe086
- Release Date
- 16 lutego 2024
- EP
-
- Artist
- Tatamax
- ReleaseProduct
- Fairy Glen Appearances (20 Year Digital Edition)
- Label
- Skam Records
- Catalogue Number
- 8718723243643
- Release Date
- 15 grudnia 2023
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Global Goon
- ReleaseProduct
- Euro Jack
- Label
- Balkan Vinyl
- Catalogue Number
- BV44
- Release Date
- 27 stycznia 2023
- Pobierz
Limited Editions
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Simon Fisher Turner
- ReleaseProduct
- Instability of the Signal
- Label
- Mute
- Catalogue Number
- ISTUMM504
- Release Date
- 2 sierpnia 2024
- LP (special)
- Pobierz
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Jimi Tenor & Cold Diamond & Mink
- ReleaseProduct
- Is There Love In Outer Space?
- Label
- Timmion Records
- Catalogue Number
- TR12014DIGITAL
- Release Date
- 31 maja 2024
- LP (special)
- Pobierz
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Kiasmos
- ReleaseProduct
- II
- Label
- Erased Tapes
- Catalogue Number
- ERATP168
- Release Date
- 5 lipca 2024
- LP (special)
- CD
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Bochum Welt
- ReleaseProduct
- Module 2
- Label
- BMG
- Catalogue Number
- 538987501
- Release Date
- 26 kwietnia 2024
- LP (special)
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Mary Lattimore and Walt McClements
- ReleaseProduct
- Rain on the Road
- Label
- Thrill Jockey
- Catalogue Number
- THRILL608LPX
- Release Date
- 10 maja 2024
- LP (special)
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Various Artists
- ReleaseProduct
- Brum as Fuck Disc 6
- Label
- House Of God
- Catalogue Number
- HOG2024DISC6
- Release Date
- 3 maja 2024
- EP
-
Pre-order
- Artist
- Various Artists
- ReleaseProduct
- Brum as Fuck Disc 5
- Label
- House Of God
- Catalogue Number
- HOG2024DISC5
- Release Date
- 3 maja 2024
- EP
Album of the Week
-
- Artist
- DMX Krew
- ReleaseProduct
- Spiral Dance
- Label
- Hypercolour
- Catalogue Number
- HYPELP026
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
- LP
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Clarissa Connelly
- ReleaseProduct
- World of Work
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD370
- Release Date
- 12 kwietnia 2024
- LP
- CD
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Mount Kimbie
- ReleaseProduct
- The Sunset Violent
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD350
- Release Date
- 5 kwietnia 2024
- LP (special)
- CD
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Kelly Moran
- ReleaseProduct
- Moves in the Field
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD362
- Release Date
- 29 marca 2024
- LP (special)
- CD
- Zestaw
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Jlin
- ReleaseProduct
- Akoma
- Label
- Planet Mu Records Ltd.
- Catalogue Number
- ZIQ460
- Release Date
- 22 marca 2024
- LP
- Zestaw
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Four Tet
- ReleaseProduct
- Three
- Label
- Text Records
- Catalogue Number
- TEXT056D
- Release Date
- 15 marca 2024
- LP
- CD
- Zestaw
- Pobierz
-
- Artist
- Soichi Terada
- ReleaseProduct
- Apes In The Net
- Label
- Far East Recording
- Catalogue Number
- FER 06903
- Release Date
- 23 lutego 2024
- EP
-
- Artist
- Squarepusher
- ReleaseProduct
- Dostrotime
- Label
- Warp Records
- Catalogue Number
- WARPDD366
- Release Date
- 1 marca 2024
- LP
- CD
- Pobierz