RxRy is--I don't know. Much to my chagrin, I've spent a significant amount of time trying to find a hint of evidence as to who RxRy is. All I know is that this project is fairly new, judging by the fact that this is the only album I could find by this artist. But let's put an end to this musical scavenger hunt and talk about the music itself.
This album keeps a consistent atmosphere of peace and tranquility, and I'm trying my hardest not to sound like a hipster with a joint in one hand and a copy of Person Pitch in the other. I have to admit though, this will probably be known as the most blissful album of 2010. The album begins with soft soundscapes on the opening track "Baulkin Slihts" which becomes increasingly layered, yet still maintaining a light density. A pulsing beat fades in, as if it's emerging out of the cloud of keyboards, and builds into a more obvious dance rhythm. Throughout the album's middle tracks the ambience almost continues consistently, yet it's apparent that these tracks were recorded separately. This is an example of a perfect flow.
The rhythm is almost the same as the ambience, or at least it follows the same structure as the ambience does. Beats become more intricate, melodies and moods change, and field recordings are left echoing in the background. Though I guess RxRy's debut could be appropriately described as "ambient dub," there's a lot more to take into consideration; styles like glitch and drone are also incorporated. The album may even be guilty of cheese at some points, the tracks "Prajhil Ryhtm" and "Cnvrtvbl Bvbes" have a bit of a funk bass in the midst, though it strangely doesn't have a negative affect on the music. It's even safe to say that... it fits.
This combination of echoing keyboards, samples, and beats give the album this blend that molds oh so nicely, that when it's played on speakers it literally pulsates. It may sound like a simple concept--I mean there are only three things used, but this album is technical. On "Eaurowi" a constant keyboard hit jumps from the left to the right channel while a bassier keyboard melody complements it, staying on both channels. At times the music is minimal and calming, and at others it's danceable and catchy. Yet, it stays consistent in terms of mood and structure. I can't say a bad thing about it.
However, this is definitely not an original kind of sound. This has been done before. Two obvious comparisons I can make are to Tim Hecker and Growing, which I'm sure anyone would agree with when hearing this. That's not to say this doesn't add to the ambient genre though, and that it doesn't perfect what other artists have done. One thing I can point out that RxRy does differently than others is the recording technique. Instead of having a live sound, it sounds very upfront, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was just composed and recorded on a laptop, although the echo and reverb still achieve that live, resonating tone that is key in this type of music.
RxRy's debut certainly impressed me; not to that degree of where it would "change the way" I listen to music, but it left me with anxiety for what else RxRy and 2010 have to offer in the future. I highly recommend this album, especially if you have a proficient speaker system to accompany it. I wouldn't be surprised if RxRy blew up sometime this year.
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