Present Paradox - Space for Wishes

​Present Paradox

Space for Wishes
self-released; 2016

4.0 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM 

By Matt Jensen
​

Present Paradox is a prolific artist. For the past three years he has released something into the world. Before we get into his latest Space For Wishes it may not be a bad idea to to check out Acute and My Map which received Top Album honors. 

Space For Wishes feels like a natural extension of his earlier releases. As a huge Radiohead fan myself it's hard not to draw some similarities. A song like “Symmetric Ostinato” feels like it could be a distant cousin to a song like “Weird Fishes - Arpeggi” but aside from the picking patterns the melancholy in general just has a similar feel.

​The melancholy often cradles you in solace. Because that is why a band like Radiohead is so revered. Their music just like  Present Paradox isn’t there to make you sad. It creates empathy and you makes you feel connected. The effect on the listener who doesn’t dismiss it as “depressive shit”  has quite the opposite experience of melancholy. 

The EP starts off with “Grow Slow.” Right off the bat I enjoyed the murky yet jazzy sounding drums. The cymbals shimmered with nuance. There is a similar feel to the guitar which has a soft picking pattern. It doesn't take long for the sign to draw you into its haunting appeal. The songs has a crescendo but never feels grandiose. 

“Eldorado” is a moving piece that slowly wraps in atmospheric pads. If it weren’t for the drums and vocals the song could float away. “Space For Wishes” has a good amount of energy from the percussion but also has a breakdown with ghostly vocal harmonies you don’t want to miss. “Letter Of…” is dissonant with an angular sounding guitar while the closer “Responder” has a hypnotic quality that could put you in a trance. 

Space For Wishes is another set of songs that I had no problem feeling connected to. He builds a foundation and yet every song offers a different flavor. A feat that isn’t as easy as it seems. This is a no brainer for me. Enjoy this.

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