Tycho
Epoch

I often wonder what personality hides behind artists and how much this can influence their inner inclinations and subsequent creative streak.
Scott Hansen, known as Tycho, if such a consequential link exists, judging by his vision (which those who know him will understand is not mere lexical emphasis) must be quite a reserved type, perhaps not even too talkative, who loves to take refuge behind his mixer and let his compositions speak for him.

His sandcastle, built over the years, has become increasingly substantial and imposing. His tropical-scented chill-out, sometimes more ambient (“Past Is Prologue” and “Dive”), sometimes more timidly post-rock (“Awake”), has gently pushed the waves toward the shore, accompanying sunsets and spiritual journeys, leaving a sense of total peace of mind. Not songs, since we are talking about instrumental notes, but visions in color, a kind of medicine for the soul.
Tycho, unlike Bonobo, has wisely chosen to avoid risky pop collaborations throughout his career that could dilute his main raw material, while managing not to sound generic or tired.

His fourth and so far last work “Epoch,” released two years ago, represents somewhat of a compendium of his visual and sound aesthetics built over the last 15 years. I say visual not by chance, as the American DJ is also known under the pseudonym ISO50 for his work in photography and graphic design, channeling these experiences into the live dimension as well.

We are faced with an album offering excellent moments of ecstasy, including the opening “Glider” with its mild morning warmth, “Horizon,” and “Rings” with its sensory rainbows, although lacking the freshness and surprise effect of the previous two records. We’re on the brink between moments of total contemplation and fleeting bright clearings in the direction of Explosions In The Sky (“Division”).

A heterogeneous work, perhaps missing a strong binding element as in the past, that doesn’t overturn the now well-established formula. Long-time listeners will probably agree with me, while for those who have never been in contact with his universe made of fine golden sand and crystal-clear water, the advice is to start by taking a step back to the essential “Dive.”