Entry 393 - Hong Kong Express - L.Y.F.

 

HKE's music and I have a tenuous relationship. Much of what are considered classics in the dreampunk genre come from his back catalogue, however I also find myself not enjoying them as much as others do. Albums like HK and Dragon Soul dimply do nothing for me.

When L.Y.F. first dropped it was billed as HKE's return to dreampunk after spending a few years flapping away. I was a bit skeptical at first but gave it a listen regardless. What I heard surprised me in several ways.

First and foremost this is a solid album... a very solid album. This is an ambient driven dreampunk album, and in some respect its a return to the roots for HKE. In a sense this feels like a modern reinterpretation of HK with its ambient soundscapes and minimalist tones and almost complete lack of any percussion.

Where LYF really starts to differentiate itself from the previous album however is how engaging it is. HK leaves me scratching my head wondering what the appeal is, LYF however has me intrigued. It has a mysterious atmosphere that completely envelops me. The melodies are simple, slow... and highly addictive and effective.

In addition to the great song structure, there is an incredible amount of detail hidden below the initial melodies and atmosphere. Is that a woman whispering? Are we in a subway? Is that a machine or some kind of animal making those noises in the distance? All of these questions came through my mind as I was listening.

LYF not only marks a return to form and a return to form for HKE, it may very well be my favorite release of under this moniker. I hope that this was not a one off event and this style is explored further in future releases from HKE.