Album Review: In Arcadia – From the Dark (Coup Su Coup)

Back with a new album, In Arcadia is the solo project of Upcdownc guitarist Chris Garth. From the Dark is a dark ambient/sci-fi synth release out on Janurary 31st 2020 via Coup Su Coup. You can check out our review of the debut In Arcadia release, Red Museum here.

The haunting beauty of Behind Darker Clouds build in hopefulness and impact, the feeling of emerging from the dark is strong. Although it is brief as some sharpness cuts through at the end leading to the chiller Steilacoom. The synthy franticness of the latter half is very disconcerting.

The exceedingly good sci-fi style of In Arcadia’s sound is the focus of Transient whereas The Maze has an eerie discombobulated feel. The maddening noise of Emanation Part 1 is almost too much to bear, the whistles and squeaking effects like hurtling through a translucent core of a computer. Before Death Machine and Echoes are Truly Endless offer varying wonderful takes on dark ambient synth.

As good as, if not better then the previous album, From the Dark is such a pleasing listen. The variety on show is one thing but the deft handling of such a niche sound gives this broader appeal. It’s very addictive, so much so that time just flies by and suddenly Black Moth’s chiptune-esque sound is ringing out. Fear Maker mixes sharp computerised sounds with soft melody before increasing the pace with whining synth and Emanation Part II wraps an excellent album up by warping the mind one last time.

In Arcadia – From the Dark Full Track Listing:

1. Behind Darker Clouds
2. Steilacoom
3. Transient
4. The Maze
5. Emanation Part 1
6. Death Machine
7. Echoes are Truly Endless
8. Black Moth
9. Fear Maker
10. Emanation Part II

Links

Bandcamp