Reminiscent of their familiar, woeful psychedelia, Obscure Residue introduces a newfound layer of maturity and intent–an aged wisdom and refinement granted through lived-in experience and sonic experimentation. The duo, Greg Hartunian and Colby Nathan, share an intimate bond informed via creation and discovery.
The imagery evoked by Dimples’ Obscure Residue functions within a dreamy, transcendent melding of the physical and supernatural, often tongue-in-cheek and skewed with an ineffable question mark. The record traces a tangible energy, ebbing and flowing throughout. Greg became transfixed while experimenting with an MPC60. The most prominent result of this experimentation is an abundance of layered orchestral elements scattered throughout the album. The emphasis of the sampler introduces an entirely new layer to the Dimples’ universe: sweeping horns and strings are plucked, distorted, and arranged cohesively and often utilized more than once on the record. The listener may venture on a sonic treasure hunt, identifying samples in one track that may later be pitch shifted and implemented again, cyclical yet distinct in sound and function.
“I wish it just wasn’t like this, how could such roots ever bend, I guess I just blame the wind.”
Take the track “Blame it on the Wind” for example. The instrumentals ascend a haunting, winding staircase of strings and a grounding rhythm, lulling the listener into a dream-like trance. It creates an almost uneasy feeling, but one that keeps you curious to what comes next. You almost want to close your eyes and truly feel the song.
Obscure Residue celebrates and reverberates all things serendipitous and coincidental, weaving an abstract tapestry of experiences that are impossible to explain. This record undulates like a trance with hypnotic strings and pulsing percussion, dissecting universal attitudes towards the passing of time and relationships. Dimples admits the vacancy of a transparent answer, opting to let the listener marinate in a disorienting, reflective state of uncertainty.