Outline of a Distant Memory - Rival Consoles
Erased Tapes, 2022
Leicester-born Rival Consoles, better known to his friends and family as Ryan Lee West, has had a solid but underappreciated output since he released his debut The Decadent EP in 2007. His sonic success continues with the minimalist Outline of a Distant Memory, which has been released by Erased Tapes as part of the Music for kō compilation. The track sits at the quieter end of his catalogue in stark contrast to his 2021 album Overflow. It’s the kind of sound he does particularly well, allowing you to close your eyes and be transported away from your current location into his expansive mind.
It begins with waves of noise that could be mistaken for the cheers of a crowd, crashing waves or a train passing by, before opening up into synths and snares and settling into the regular rhythm of double keyboard notes accompanied by a flowing background and light crackly percussion. The double beat fades halfway through but doesn’t completely disappear until the final stages, while metallic sweeps and jagged guitars carry Outline of a Distant Memory into its quiet but deeply affecting close.
Rival Consoles has consistently shown that he can switch between loud and quiet, fast and slow, with equal competence and Outline of a Distant Memory, a therapeutic oasis in a time of chaos, is no different.
Rating 4/5