Date: August 22nd 2008

Artist: Saul Stokes
Title: Villa Galaxia
Label: Binary/Stokesmusic (hyby0808)



2008. Always one of the most popular artists on the Hypnos and Binary labels through the years, Saul Stokes is also one we've been very proud to "launch" into the ambient/electronica world, going back to Saul's first album which was also the first album on Hypnos, Washed in Mercury in 1997. The first new work by Saul Stokes on Hypnos/Binary since Fields in 2005, this is certainly one of the most anticipated discs we've released in years.

Saul Stokes says: Stokes’ 8th solo album to date, Villa Galaxia is a hyperfusion of sonic exploration seeded in Stokes’ seminary music past, while arcing into a completely new genre defining collection of songs. Stripping away any notion of ambient drone or chill out labeling, Villa Galaxia surfs its own ocean of contemporary electronic music culture with eccentric listenable experimentalism wrapped in catchy lyrical orchestras of electronic fireworks.

Mirko Ruckels, aka recording artist Deepspace, says: "Hello Radar" is a great opening track, featuring wide-eyed crispy keyboard sounds, and a nice moody bassline. I can feel that I'm really going to like this- you know the feeling, when an album taps you on the shoulder and goes, "Are you ready? we are about to become good friends...." It happens far too infrequently don't you think. "Vapor trails" Slightly melancholy second track- with some great outro key washes. yay. "Blaze" is completely different and brings the album to a, dare I use the word, "chilled" place with it's slightly more, well, serious and blue feeling. I really like the big sunny melodies on "Night Painting". Vibrant, primary colours, sweet sounds. Fingerpainting. "Eta Car is a massive Star" sounds like an epic Mario Bros game, full of detail and shimmering pixely effects (I don't know what that means either). Really lovely. This is an excellent album that will attract many listeners. It's full of nooks and crannies and quite delirious. I like! Nay, love! Bravo Saul!

Villa Galaxia could be characterized as a bit of a throwback to an earlier Stokes sound, a bit simplified and less focused on pretty melodics than Saul's more recent work like Fields and Vast. Whether Saul's work is more about the melodies or the rhythms or the ambience, it always retains the the sound & feel of a Saul Stokes album.

Track listing with mp3 sample clips
hello radar
vapor trails
blaze
night painting
eta car is a massive star
future gamma
embedded in amber
interrupted by time

This CD on Binary/Stokesmusic is available for purchase for $12.99 here.