GRAFFITI WELFARE’S EUPHORIC RECORD ‘REVOLVING SHORES’ OFFERS MASTERFUL PRODUCTION VALUE TO SOOTHE THE SOUL
After Tame Impala’s ambitious rise to superstardom, many artists have executed experimental indietronica with a unique ear for creative expression. Graffiti Welfare’s sonic indicators, such as specific synth sounds and a snappy snare, create a new lease on life for the genre. His record ‘Revolving Shores’ is best enjoyed as an entire body of work, replacing tired lo-fi beats productivity playlists with enchanting mostly instrumental storytelling in a full-length LP. Though released two years ago, ‘Revolving Shores’ feels fresh enough to warrant new critiques and input.
My boss described ‘Revolving Shores’ as “a bit Tame Impala, a bit something else,” and I can’t think of a better descriptor.
From the start of the record, listeners are transported into an otherworldly stratosphere that only exists in one’s imagination. Colorful arrays of sonic layers fill the mix in “To Be It,” indicating articulate craftsmanship from a seasoned pro. This isn’t Graffiti Welfare’s first rodeo; a body of work that is this robust indeed took some time to curate, even if only describing the amount of time it took to build the necessary skills to execute these vibrant ideas. The record would be perfect for anyone identifying with the phenomenon of “synesthesia,” as each note sounds like an abstract painting.
Unlike other records, ‘Revolving Shores’ should be evaluated as a whole sum instead of individual parts. It’s easy to get lost in the LP; by the time it was over, I was surprised that I had just sat through 32 minutes of music. Each song was perfectly placed, allowing listeners to explore different emotions through electronic and “real” instruments. “Good News” is indicative of Graffiti Welfare’s profound instrumental skill. It makes sense that such a master craftsman would have clean instrumentals. The album insinuates that he uses each instrument to tell a story and express emotion. Many artists lean on lyrics to do this, but Graffiti Welfare doesn’t need to. Instead, he can make his points clear without saying anything at all—yet saying so much at the same time.
The big synth sounds in the song “Synesthesia” are stunning. These choices transcend expectation; one cannot predict what they will hear next the first time they listen to ‘Revolving Shores.’ One thing is sure, though; the listening experience for ‘Revolving Shores’ is entirely immersive, almost transcendent, allowing you to process repressed emotions while simultaneously escaping tedious tasks. That’s the magic found within music, after all. Expressing art is often euphoric, and songs like “Synesthesia” represent dedicated artists like Graffiti Welfare who audibly feel every moment of their production work.
Though lyrically sparse, the vocal production within some of these songs is surprisingly strong. It isn’t that Graffiti Welfare doesn’t sing on tracks because he can’t. He understands that multiple storytelling techniques are available for those with the creative skills to use them. He gets experimental with it, painting pictures with his instrumental tracks and occasionally chiming in to deliver an impressively clean vocal. For example, the reverberated ambiance of his vocal lead in “Nothing Ever Changes” is the crucial context that allows the song to flow like a calm riverbank.
Similarly, the guitar playing in “Missing the War” is fantastic. I think the “something else” my boss referred to was Pink Floyd. Experimental music has transformed many times, but “Missing The War” is very Pink Floyd-coded, even with its title. The drama in this song is simply perfection.
Graffiti Welfare’s continuous efforts to make what feels right allow for transcendent listening experiences. Usually, I’d say I wish ‘Revolving Shores’ was a bit longer since it’s so good—however, it’s the exact length. Any longer, and specific themes may have gone unnoticed or overdone. This Goldilocks record showcases a multitalented musician and producer-driven workflow that translates into real magic. ‘Revolving Shores’ scratches an itch in the brain, leaving listeners inspired to create something, anything really, to match the innovative energy made by Graffiti Welfare.