Michael Gabriel’s “Sweet Toxin”: A Musical Odyssey in Microcosm- In his solo album titled “Surfacing,” Montreal born artist Michael Gabriel presents the stylistically diverse journey of “Sweet Toxin. ” Right from the onset, lush textures exude the mature feel of an artist who is in complete control of his craft. Shiny synthesizers nod to previous decades and look confidently into the future. Critics laud Gabriel’s “impeccable” sound design, and it’s clear he’s come into his own.
But beyond the cool stunts, the crux of ‘Sweet Toxin’ is in the rise and fall. These small changes lead the listener to different but related directions, which are like different chapters of a book. From the bassline of the eighties to the percussion of the present, familiar aesthetics collide in the unexpected. What is most characteristic of Gabriel’s subtle approach is this constant oscillation between the past and the future. References to acid jazz and electro are present in novelties and in rather unexpected combinations. It is difficult to get the impression that some aspects are just a tribute; everything is part of a larger whole.
In its entirety, the track fluctuates in energy levels with a certain elegance. Hypnotic pads soothe and inspire in turns, keeping the flow going through the calm and the storm. It is the kind of knowledge that studio veterans have about how to keep people interested. On “Sweet Toxin,” Gabriel encapsulates a career of diverse work in a single clear statement. The song comes out not only as the tour de force of a musical genre but also as a snapshot of an artist in constant development. For the open-minded listeners, it is the best way to start to get acquainted with the shades of his vision.
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