John S Wilson is an electronica artist whose debut album 'Liquid Acrobat' has been released online by his small indie label AMStunes. Described as 'alternative elctronica from an alternative mind', the statement is so true. Gone are the crazy sounds that are often associated with this genre, gone are the irrelevant break-ups which make certain elctronica artists disjointed and inaccessible to many people. This album is a smooth ride and slots neatly into the genre doing something that it seems elctronica artists are afraid to do, make it sound simple even though it so obviously isn't.
The first track 'Heights' kicks in with a distorted drifty lead line and then what sounds like a sampled drum kit bangs in with a driving beat and the song just builds. Its all so well crafted and thought out, some songs progressive, some songs ambient the whole album flows perfectly making it easy to just put the album on your Ipod go out and completely forget what you went out for. In fact you won't care you'll just walk and listen from start to finish, the music is that good.
Influences can definitely be heard; the old master 'Aphex', 'Boards of Canada', 'Four Tet' blah blah blah and at time other genres come into the mix, trance, dub and even garage all mingle. Although the influences can be noticed, this album is so obviously it's own entity. It fits nicely in your playlist amongst all the other electronica artists and that is truly amazing for a debut album of an artist not of high recognition in the industry. This album is a simple epic emotional collection of tracks that should not be missed; it shows that simplicity can be complexity.
'Liquid Acrobat' is a fitting title for John S Wilson's creation, whether it's because the whole album flows flawlessly from start to end or perhaps its a reference to the drug and dance culture this album so obviously stems from. I personally think this album deserves the 9 I have given it but to anyone who prefers the more traditional sound-scape, more sample based electronica take the score down by 1 or possibly 2. Anyone out their who is looking to extend their electronica collection and wants something very different get over to AMStunes now and check this out, a truly masterful piece of music.
Liquid Acrobat by John S Wilson: - 9/10
Dave Muzo
Check out John S Wilson's music on
Myspace or
AMStuines Radio.
John S Wilson - Lyquid Acrobat - Alternative Electro/Electronica 
