Caged Element - Ultima (LP)

My new LP is out today. Cheers!

"This collection of tracks presents an exploration of minimal techno and ambient soundscapes. It begins with "The Function of a Means to an End". Rhythmic bass and laser sounds set within a dark atmosphere, gradually transitioning into the heavier track "Non-Existent," which features crisp bass and phased instruments that maintain a compelling tension. Following this, "Iridium Sky" introduces melodic arpeggios and gentle percussion, fostering a reflective ambiance that shifts with the addition of a nebula-like pad. This progression continues in "Scattered Objects," where anxiety and danceability converge, propelled by a pronounced bassline. The album then presents "Dark City," which evokes introspection and uncertainty, characterized by a heartbeat rhythm and ambient pads that encourage contemplation. Tracks delineating a narrative journey soon follow through diverse soundscapes, beginning with "Ultima," which confidently extends the thematic elements of "Dark City" while presenting a tranquil atmosphere. "Third System" features brassy, distorted sounds and a heavy kick, paired with a melody reminiscent of Stars of the Lid, thereby creating an immersive dark ambient experience. Then we move into 'Subliminal Cut' which shares DNA with 'Ultima'. It moves along with a rolling drum pattern as more elements are added along the journey including an acid line and string intertwined with the sombre melody telling a story of a forboading journey of inevitable doom which gives way to a hint of hope.As the album draws to an end, "The Necessity of ..." intro is lead by an arpeggio, and overall the album is building up a world that can be described as an abandoned factory. Terror awaits at 1:30, and by the 6 minutes mark, a snare fill anticipates a screamed instrument buried in the kicks. The final track, "Geometrical Slide" juxtaposes this sense of fear with a prominent kick and an optimistic pad, suggesting another glimmer of hope, only to be ultimately overshadowed by a melancholic plucked string that concludes the album on a note of solitude and isolation."

Created By Caged Element between June and September 2024.

Produced by Paul Bolstridge.

Mastered by Lewis Platten at Hexagon Digital Studios.

Job well done, Paul. Really enjoyed listening to this start to finish. Great flow between tracks.

  On 2/9/2025 at 7:47 PM, Extralife said:

Job well done, Paul. Really enjoyed listening to this start to finish. Great flow between tracks.

Thanks so much for the support and kind words!!