Patrick Quinn - deep_map Volume 2 [Neuma Records - 2023]Delving deeply below the surface of our visible world, sound artist Patrick Quinn returns with his industrial geophones to share with the world his low and intriguing field recordings. deep_map Volume 2 presents the listener with deep and distant field recordings of the seismic activity of the US and beyond, but prepared and modified to not only make them audible, but to show all of their beauty and majesty; turning the motion and movement of the Earth into subtle motions and movements of sound. Naturally focused heavily on the low end, deep_map Volume 2 is an album that needs to be felt as well as heard, much like the massive body that fueled its sonic sources. deep_map Volume 2 utilizes the deepest of the deep sources for its field recordings, and it serves up a very intriguing and engaging listening experience. Designed to interact with a bass heavy speaker system, Quinn's latest plays heavily in the low ranges and is a physically immersive album. These long recordings move forth at a glacial pace, echoing that of the continental drift. Due to these sources, deep_map is a very quiet and distant work that will need to be played loudly or listened to on headphones. When the optimal set up is achieved, the listener is taken on a journey far below their feet to witness an unseen world, described to us sonically thanks to Patrick Quinn's imagination and artistry. At times, the album is so distant and low that it is nearly gone, but patience is rewarded as the layers and drones slowly creep back into the audible range. Like a stretched out dark ambient, deep_map Volume 2 is dark, deep, and engaging.
Over two long-form tracks, Patrick Quinn's latest sonic experiment with industrial geophones, deep_map Volume 2 takes its time, does not rush, and allows the listener to make the moves forward to unlock discovery. Art is often difficult, and this album may be a challenge to some, based on its relative quietness and glacial pacing. However, the patient will be rewarded with a very intriguing sonic look at the inner workings of the Earth, as well as some very cool and relaxing experimental art. Paul Casey
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