Artist: Access To Arasaka Album: Geosynchron

Year: 2011
Duration: 0:0-1

Access To Arasaka's Geosynchron: A Deep Dive into the Dark, Intricate World of IDM

Access To Arasaka is an electronic music project with a distinctly futuristic twist. Taking its name from the seminal cyberpunk novel Neuromancer, the project has been crafting IDM and glitch-driven tracks since its inception in 2006. One of their most notable releases is the album Geosynchron, which was released in 2010. This record received critical and commercial acclaim, cementing Access To Arasaka as one of the most innovative acts in IDM. In this post, we’ll review Geosynchron and delve into the history of Access To Arasaka, the genre of IDM, and the album’s most standout tracks.
Access To Arasaka was founded in 2006 by Robert Lioy, a New York-based sound designer and electronic music composer. The project was initially inspired by Lioy’s love of Japanese culture, and particularly the cyberpunk genre. Access To Arasaka’s sound is characterized by its dark, intricate beats, which are often accompanied by ethereal pads and haunting synth washes. The project’s first release, Oppidan, was an exploration of the futuristic cityscape, using IDM to create a cinematic atmosphere.
Geosynchron is Access To Arasaka’s second full-length album, and it continues the exploration of dystopian themes, turning its attention to celestial bodies and their movements. The album is divided into three parts and contains a total of 12 tracks. Geosynchron’s narrative structure is one of its standout features; the tracks are laid out so that they interlock, creating a cohesive journey through different textures and tones.
Geosynchron’s opening track, “The Ribbon Divine,” sets the mood with its skittering beats and textured atmospheres. The track introduces a recurring element on the album - samples of dialogue from science fiction movies and TV shows. These samples help to contextualize the music and add to the cinematic feel of the album. The standout tracks on the album are “Monochrome Rainbow” and “Heights of Despair,” which both showcase Access To Arasaka’s ability to create intricate rhythms that lead to huge, cathartic moments. “The Storm,” which closes the album, is a highlight as well. Its shimmering pads and understated beat conjure a sense of resolution and closure.
Geosynchron has plenty of innovative elements that merit attention. For example, “Errant,” the album’s fourth track, features a twitchy synth pattern that sounds like it’s about to collapse upon itself. But instead of faltering, the pattern morphs into a beat that feels substantial and groove-driven. “Monochrome Rainbow,” meanwhile, features an intricate drum pattern that constantly shifts around, creating a vortex of rhythms that the listener can get lost in.
Critically, there are moments where Geosynchron feels repetitive. Several tracks share similar themes and motifs, which can be both a strength and a weakness depending on the listener’s preference. Additionally, while Access To Arasaka is skilled at creating cinematic atmospheres, there are times when it feels like the music is just serving as background to the dialogue samples.
All things considered, Geosynchron is a standout album in the IDM genre, offering a sci-fi-infused journey full of intricate beats and glitchy textures. It’s a record that rewards repeated listens, as the music unveils new layers with each spin. Access To Arasaka’s ability to create cinematic atmospheres is evident throughout the record, and despite some repetitive moments, the album offers enough variation to keep the listener engaged. A must-listen for fans of IDM, and a great entry point for those who want to dive into the genre.