Can't I Just Be? by Sonic Juncture
Sonic Juncture's latest release on Dealt With Records, Can't I just Be?, represents a new era of musical growth for the artists.
Encapsulating this is the titular track, an intricate departure from their usual style. "Magician's Secret" has tinges of the Sonic Juncture of old but is transformed due to the duo experimenting with their sound from the Apollo 11 moon lander while on ecstasy. Collaborating with house music legend Alton Miller to remix "Can't I just Be?" isn't just a highlight for Sonic Juncture; it's a testament and headnod to the quality of their music.
"Can't I Just Be?" offers an introspective melodic journey for the listener. Sonic Juncture has produced a piece of electronica - a spiritual and almost tribal, chilled-out piece of house music - suitable for a soothing listen on headphones while in transit, played loud on an Ibizan terrace, or enjoyed in a beer garden on a sunny day in Brighton.
Beginning with two chords slowly marching through a tunnel of dubbed-out saxophone and spaced-out pads, it's immediately clear that this music would be suitable for inclusion on a Nightmares On Wax or Zero 7 "Late Night Tales" compilation album. The musical complexity is immensely rewarding on good speakers or headphones, akin to a singular sine wave of musical dopamine pulsing through your veins.
"Can't I Just Be?" is like a b-side from a forgotten Cymande record, reimagined by Louie Vega. Latin percussion, dubbed-out saxophone and guitar, and echoed piano tinkerings meld with trippy reverberated pads. It epitomises top-tier chilled house music, providing a glimpse into the soul of Sonic Juncture.
A cosmic slab of proggy acid-house music is served hot and fresh on "Magician's Secret." Built on a solid dusty groove with kick drum, bongo, and cowbell - a 303 bassline squiggles forth from the sweaty jungle, instantly firing up your impetus to groove. The vocals of a summoned spirit seem lost in the wind, ghostly words float and fall, chemically altered to hypnotise listeners to dance.
"Magician's Secret" could slip into the record collection of artists such as Artwork, DJ Harvey, Krystal Klear, or Glasgow's own DJ Billy Woods. This sweaty, peak-time roller encapsulates the psychedelic hedonism found at Pikes, Ibiza, Potato Head Beach Club, or DJ Harvey's new place, Klymax Discotheque in Bali.
Can't I Just Be? (Alton Miller Remix) - The introduction is delicately adorned with intricate details - clicks, clacks, snaps, skipping hi-hats and snares fill the percussive landscape. Alton demonstrates a mastery of tempo and timing, seamlessly unveiling elements like tinkling keys or sweet pads that harmonise the track's components.
Elongated horn notes gently drift, engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue with the piano keys, evoking a dreamlike conversation in the clouds. This remix offers an elevated reinterpretation of the original, infusing it with a wholly organic electronic energy as if sourced from a thunderstorm, with lightning bolt keys and a drum pattern created by the rain. Alton pays homage to the original while painting the sky with the colourful notes of his own.
"Can't I Just Be? (Acid Groove Mix)," is the peaceful serenity of the original is still there, and thus a welcoming breeze of chilled electronica flows over you. Queue an energetic acid line and an upped ante of audible urgency. An alternative yet increasingly complex percussion configuration elevates the original to a shiny, happy new place - for those who need an extra shot of coffee in their morning cappuccino.
Sonic Juncture - Can't I Just Be?
Release Date June 2024
Label Dealt With Records
Tracklist
1. Sonic Juncture - Can't I just Be?
2. Sonic Juncture - Magician's Secret
3. Sonic Juncture - Can't I Just Be? (Alton Miller Remix)
4. Sonic Juncture - Can't I just Be? (Acid Groove Mix)