I have been an active and passive fan of The Planet You for almost the entire duration of their musical campaign and when it comes to the task of math rock, along the way they have not only flaunted its more interesting angles but have also defined themselves as something else entirely. Admittedly, I anticipated tpy to become something slightly closer to the UK’s Black Midi but at this very moment I can say with confidence that if you really want to know what tpy is really all about than this record is where you, the listener, should begin.
On “Techxture” you’ll find The Planet You beginning another rotation around the sun, but this time at full force. No longer three individuals roaming about their instruments, but 3 seasoned veterans of the sport and with a dedicated sonic coach, Victoria Seagriff, to keep it as clear and precise as ever.
In particular, Pete’s existential questioning shines in the mix unlike any of their recordings before. From falsetto to some yummy scramz, this one has it all. Vocals are not really the point of records like these but for tpy, psychological drama has become another instrument they have learned to play and that makes the complexion of these songs, as the album title suggests, complex backdrops riddled with tasty arrangements.
Rob, Max and Pete all use their instruments to philosophize the context of each song and you can very easily find yourself lost while honing in on any one of these master musicians. However, when the moment of their coming together arrives, like for the finale of “Erosion”, you will find yourself satisfied if not amazed.
The best part about this record is that its another tpy record and no one else could have made it. So many influences come together on these songs like never before. For that I have to nod at Max. His blending of rhythms and tasteful answers to some of the complex and chaotic patterns that Pete and Rob often structure are so good that they almost feel obvious. Reminds me of one of my personal heroes, Omar Rodriguez Lopez. Especially on tracks like “Perigee”, “Prismatic”, or the albums final stretch “The Electric Lesson”.
When it comes down to it though its the moments that sound like an old school jazz session that really wow me. The delicate precision and gentle chord blending of Max while really being able to finally hear Pete’s bass lines clearly really makes for constant moments of bliss. Somehow keeping all of this in focus is without a doubt Mr. McNamara who takes on the drummers challenge, to make sense of all the madness, with grace, poise and power.
It’s a well paced lap for the most part. I often find myself tired by the time I get to track 8. It feels like the same fatigue you get after reading some David Foster Wallace or Hegel. Maybe it just means that the last three tracks will make a good side B if this one ever gets a vinyl release. I also can’t help but love to see that this record was, for the most part, independently made and released.
I remember years ago sitting outside the batcave in Pete’s car listening to their previous self titled release. The mood in the air was uncertain but excited. The journey for these three sonic warriors has been long and strange, like for many of us at this moment in the human story. As we all grope in the darkness for structure or meaning, it is the archetypes of those who have already tried that inspire us. As the next wave of experimental creative musicians arrive, I hope that they turn to The Planet You and see what I see, a beautiful archetype finally giving way to its true form.
