Slowcore before there was such a term. Hints of shoegaze and shimmering ambient music. Early post-rock. Released by Brian Eno’s label. Born New York City in the 1980s. […]
Efficient Space issues Hydroplane’s sublime 1997 debut on vinyl for the first time
Beautiful guitar atmospherics, fragile lyricism and droning incidentals.
Calling all fans of the Sky Girl compilation frequently played at the In Sheep’s Clothing listening bar… Here’s another gorgeous archival release from Michael Kucyk’s beloved Melbourne-based imprint Efficient Space. An offshoot of Australian indie pop heroes The Cat’s Miaow, Hydroplane formed as a trio after their drummer decamped to London, charting new territory with tape loops, manipulated samples and a borrowed Jupiter 4 in the wake of DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing.
Originally released on CD-only via Michigan-based imprint Dive-in Records, Hydroplane’s self-titled debut is a sonic beauty filled with delayed guitars drenched in reverb, Radiophonic Workshop synth interludes, downtempo beats, and perfect dream pop vocals by Kerrie Bolton. Highly recommended for fans of Stereolab, Slowdive, Seefeel, Not Drowning, Waving, etc.
Listen to a few previews below:
“Championed by John Peel with twenty spins on his converted Radio One slot and even polling in Festive Fifty of 1997, the humble three-piece still walked to their neighbourhood shops undetected.”
Previously only available as a US-issued CD, Hydroplane will be available on vinyl and digital on May 6, 2022. Preorder available now from Efficient Space.