Outside
CFCF is the musical alias of Mike Silver, whose one-man electronic project takes on an impressive new feel with *Outside*. *Exercises* and *Music for Objects*—the pair of EPs that preceded this album—trafficked in a kind of hypnotic minimalism. While a few tracks on *Outside* feature an entrancing latticework of deceptively simple keyboard ostinatos, the focus here is on an off-kilter but ultimately accessible type of vocal-based pop, far from Silver\'s earlier electronic experiments. While Silver still creates all the music himself, tracks like \"Feeling, Holding\" feature guitars and what at least *sounds* like a real drum kit as prominently as synths, creating a warm, organic atmosphere around the multitalented musician\'s breathy, low-key vocals. Even ambient-flavored instrumental tracks like \"Find\" and \"Transcend\" are adorned with airy, natural tones that feel more like an early-morning rainforest than an evening urban skyline. *Outside* represents a major step forward for CFCF, creating even more options for whatever Silver\'s next move winds up being.
On Montreal producer CFCF's new Outside, instead of simply losing himself in the haze of the translucent pastels as on previous release Continent, Silver uses the release as a bid to ground his music with more approachable song structures.
The Montreal producer ditches the pulsing beats of debut album Continent for a more soothing and light ambient sound. But is it a successful transition?
During the four years between CFCF's full-length albums, Michael Silver explored several different sounds via a series of EPs.
On Outside, Silver (aka CFCF) comes off like a seasoned veteran, as this sophomore full-length feels much more enduring, skilful and headier than his early electronic pieces.
Album review: CFCF, 'Outside'. "For the most part CFCF is approaching the kind of sounds more associated with artifice than art."