For fans of Dream Dolphin, James Ferraro, The Orb, wonky techno, and the pure joy of a good oddities shop, Gizmo Bleat Exhibit by Doctor Cosmonaut dazzles us with strange and at times seemingly random analogue synthesized sounds, all of which coalesce at the most unexpected of times to reveal dancey grooves which have been hiding in plain sight. Squelching mids, chirping highs, and bouncing bass immerse us in an early digital age antique, replicating the earliest days of artists experimenting with new synthesizer technology and drum machines. From this point, descriptors such as “liminal” and “hypnagogic” enter the conversation, as these whimsical experiments call back to a time when every new technological innovation felt like a gift with which we could augment our creativity or productivity and not like an albatross which was destined to cause nothing but harm. Especially tragic are those rare moments on the record where everything clicks into place, those kinetic, harmonious moments of danceability the ultimate casualty of techno optimism, as we now couldn’t possibly fathom a new technology giving us reason to dance.
