FREq - Strange Attractors

Nothing had prepared the psytrance world for FREq’s formal debut in 2004. Aran Gallagher, a Kiwi now living in Oz, has been producing for a decade now, but his original 1997 debut Alloys remains so obscure that no one really seems to know what it sounds like. A pair of compilation appearances on Japan’s Exotic Native Records in 2002 and 2003 drew a small amount of attention to the emerging artist. FREq finally broke into the European market in late 2003 with the track Short Life Again, released on the Plusquam compilation Revive, but the hype was only beginning to build. Iboga released the Puzzled compilation in January of 2004, which featured two tracks from FREq, and subsequently announced the impending full-length album. In the months that led up to the summer festival season, the buzz grew to inordinate levels. Never before had Iboga chanced themselves on an unproven newcomer such as this! When the album finally landed it became clear that all the hype was justified, and Strange Attractors quickly became a fan favourite. FREq went on to become the hottest psytrance artist of 2004, following up on the album with dozens of compilation appearances. But this is the album that started it all…

FREq’s style is largely homogeneous across the album. Expect to hear a slick combination of massive reverbs, sparkling melodies, and fat rhythms. The tempo seldom deviates from aroudn 135 BPM, and the production quality is universally high. Although these songs work in nearly every context I can think of, they go down particularly well at summer festivals when the sun is just coming up. I speak from experience; not only has this album been a staple of my DJ sets for years, but I’ve also been out on the trance floor when others have dropped these tunes. They always work a special kind of magic that is nothing short of inspiring.

Carbon-Based Lifeform is a stellar introduction to Aran’s pristine style of melodic progressive psytrance. Everything is so silky smooth, driven by simple ethereal surges that rise from the depths with a surprising amount of strength. Electro voices speak the title of the track, soothing chants slip into the background, and a small melodic hook spirals up into the air every now and then. It is a fabulous opener!

Dreambody is one of the most deceptively powerful tracks on the album. The progression is very slow, yet intricately nuanced. Growling leads float through a fluid atmosphere flavoured with speaking synths and snappy rhythms. This track conveys the impression of an immense soundscape populated by clearly defined geometric elements. What really pushes this one over the edge is the intelligent development of the main melody. Magnificent!

Nurbs is one of the more full-on tracks on the album, although I still consider it to be deep and progressive. The bass ripples with greater insistence, the tempo is pitched up to 140, and the morning-time melodies reach a higher peak. This one has some of the most keenly seductive riffs on the whole album, once again organized in such a way to flow and blossom in an intelligent way. Simply incredible!

The title track is one of the more anonymous songs on the album, with simple cheeky melodies and a resurgent growl to mark the returns and transitions. Dripping sound effects populate the atmosphere, but there isn’t too much more to describe. It flows as well as any of the others, but there is slightly less meat on the bones here. Still, it’s very good.

Spacechanger is probably the deepest of the lot, with an unusually strong focus on those deliciously sustained reverbs. It seems so minimal, sandwiched between these tunes doused in resplendent melodies, but the astute listener will always hear some clever detail swirling around in the rich atmosphere. The high level of sophistication is maintained for the duration, making this a definite favourite!

Return to the Masters was previously released on the Iboga compilation Puzzled, and was later remixed by Antix for the Playground release. This one keeps it fairly deep, never really reaching any strong melodic heights. Tribal drums and a breakbeat rhythm in the bridge makes for a nice addition to FREq’s synthetic blend.

Awaken (Materialize) is another gem. The key to brilliance in this song is a “call and response” game played by a pair of leads that go through a sublime metamorphosis during the mid-point break. What begins as a sly screeching sound like brakes on a far future hover-cycle transmutes into a glittering ray of sunlight. This song is so wonderful thanks to the subtle shifts in intensity evident in the various melodies. At times the notes strike with greater force, or remain floating in the air, or drift into nothing. With luscious backing atmospheres, this proves to be one of the sweetest progressive morning tracks around. Easily loved!

Bliss is the only chill out tune I’ve heard from FREq. The beats are quite lazy, never quite coming together to form anything like a steady rhythm. With the usual application of soothing melodic atmospheres, the results are satisfactory. I imagine that Aran could do a much better job if he put his mind to it; this seems like a bit of an afterthought.

The final “bonus” track is made with Australian full-on producer Fractal Glider, hence the title: FREqtal. I would not have expected this to work, but the collaboration proves to be a fine fusion of full-on energy and fat rolling bass lines with deeper drum programming and slow melodic progression. Despite an upbeat nature, this song actually seems more focused on rhythm than most of the others. I suspect it may be missing a strong lead to tie it all together.

FREq has forged an enduring classic of modern progressive psychedelic trance with Strange Attractors. At first I was only reasonably impressed with the album, but it has remarkable staying power. This still sounds fresh and interesting years after the fact, and I expect this to remain true for many years to come. Strange Attractors is a dependable listening experience. Whatever the context may be, I know I can throw it on and enjoy the experience. As long as you can appreciate melody and a morning-friendly approach to psytrance, Strange Attractors will treat you well. It is one of those rare albums that sounds fantastic at home, in your car, or out at a party. In essence, Strange Attractors is one of the highlights of 2004, and a major landmark in the history of the psytrance movement.

Purchase Options

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