- The release of Slowcation is yet another feat for Brisbane musician Andrew Tuttle. Tuttle is known for his extensive collaborative work and unorthodox approaches in combing electronics, banjo, guitar and environmental sound sources to produce provocative and luscious tunes.

Slowcation is a natural continuation of previous releases such as 4064 and BickLack, consisting of tracks saturated by synths and signal processing while overlaid with jolly banjo and guitar plucking. The record features Christopher Fleeger and M.C. Schmidt (aka Matmos), both of which have profoundly impacted Tuttle’s work.

Fans can certainly predict the dreamy timbres we have all come to know and love from Tuttle, with hyper-tonality and euphamdoria becoming his trademark as an artist.

The opening track Vernon City Limits gives no apologies for what the listener is in for. His Banjo playing verges on the realms of old time folk music, but is avoids this due to the subtle and invasive background electronics that forbid any [too] comfortable armchair listening experience!

Tracks such as Charm intersection and Wave Triplet will soothe the soul of any synth fan, with sweeping arpeggios that can only be described as ecstasy. But these tracks are not to be confused with the slow evolving processes of other artists on A Guide to Saints’ sister label Room 40, with Tuttle taking risks with his approach to unconventional structures and electroacoustic material/s.

It is Tuttle’s Banjo playing that steps up to the plate with its harsh, dry timbre, taking centre stage over the heavily processed electronics. Like childhood naivety, it adopts a front seat on the record without being in-your-face and particularly shines through on tracks Vernon City Limits and Impreston. Tuttles’s choice of fusing Banjo with electronics is nothing short of courageous, with the two mediums not necessarily being an obvious marriage. Along The Weird Trail gives the listener a refreshing break, as it captures an edgier sound reminiscent of Tuttle’s earlier work that breaks up the records lax quality.

Slowcation is a wash of positivism. Tuttle amalgamates electronic and acoustic instruments masterfully while giving listeners a well-needed break from their beloved DIY noise collection. Most will finish the record never wanting to leave the clouds, although those who prefer listening on the dirtier side may be left begging for a cheeseburger with extra grease. Slowcation is accessible to the non-acquainted listener, while fans can still hear Tuttle’s earlier influences continuing to shine through.

- Paul Young.