Charting a New Audio Course: Pachyman’s “Another Place” 2025 Release
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Los Angeles’ multi-talented musician, Pachyman, has been taking the music industry by storm. He began to widen his artistic horizon and sought to develop a unique sound that distinguished him from the rest. Pachyman decided it was time to redefine his boundaries, as he released his fifth album, “Another Place,” under ATO Records, a leap of faith that no other artist dared to make.
Traditionally, Pachyman produced reggae music that pushed the boundaries of the genre. However, with “Another Place,” Pachyman decided to take an unprecedented route and channel inspiration from artists like William Onyeabor and Yellow Magic Orchestra, renowned for their synth-pop music. Meanwhile, he also drew profound inspiration from Basic Channel’s fascinating dub techno vibes. This experiment gave birth to a unique musical blend that was still evident in the artist’s reggae roots, yet distinctive enough to separate him from his peers in the industry.
Through his eyes, we are given a glimpse of reggae’s potential and how easily it can assimilate other genres’ elements. His tracks, such as ‘Berlin’ and ‘In Love,’ serve as clear examples of this, as they weave traditional reggae with other musical elements, creating a sound of its own. The album’s distinct soundscape, from the cowbell-infused “Hard to Part” to the soothing sounds of “Calor Ahora,” mirrors Pachyman’s congression.
Not bounded by the conventional reggae aesthetics and methodologies, Pachyman constantly sought new ways to innovate his music. This mindset was reflected in his approach to “Another Place,” where he ventured beyond his usual reggae sound. Pachyman had incorporated various musical elements, such as vaporwave, chillwave, soul-jazz, James Brown, Kosmiche musik, and krautrock, into his work. This approach resulted in a genre-blending album that was both intimate and nostalgic, with a touch of classic reggae.
The “Another Place” album was not only a significant musical achievement for Pachyman but also demonstrated his abilities as a vocalist. Throughout the album, he takes on a mantra-like repetition of ideas and snippets, echoing with layers of harmonies that sustain a slow and steady crescendo throughout the album. This technique is especially evident in one of the album’s highlights, “False Moves,” where Pachyman offers improvised lyrics against the backdrop of fundamental social issues.
In an industry saturated with similar-sounding music, Pachyman’s “Another Place” comes as a breath of fresh air. This album represents not just the evolution of Pachyman as an artist, but also the versatility of reggae music as a genre. Despite his love for repetitive sounds, Pachyman has managed to chart new territories by interweaving different music styles, creating a fresh sound that engages with listeners. As a result, the album is perfectly congruous with the fundamental vision of early dub, presenting endless possibilities for the genre’s future.
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