Review: Stupid Cosmonaut - Abstract Concepts

Stupid Cosmonaut are, to quote their Bandcamp page, "a Bury, Uk-based pseudonymous musical entity consisting of Sam Read and Steven McNamara experimenting with electronic, ambient and psychedelic sounds". 'Abstract Concepts' is based around the idea that the truly scientists of our age have changed the way we think by formulating what, on the face of them, appear to be 'abstract concepts'. Heavy stuff indeed, but provides the inspiration for music that in it's turn both inspires and ponders the deepest of questions.

Opening track 'Long Term Survival' starts things with a barrage of guitar and drums that would lead the listener into thinking we were about to be treated to an album of thrash metal....but nothing quite so straightforward. The guitars are supplemented by some synths and snippets of spoken word samples of Stephen Hawking to produce a psychedelic melange that is deep and vibrant. 'Obsolete' is based firmly in the world of electronica; some atmospheric drones provide the backdrop for some simple but effective synth lines which come together, again with some spoken word, to produce an wonderfully eerie and evocative piece bordering on dark ambient. Things waver and quiver, giving it an almost tremulous and yet assured vibe. 'Tesla Is Not Dead' comes straight from the Cabaret Voltaire book of electronica, indeed, it could have slotted nicely into 'Voice Of America'. Synths, drones and reverbed beats combine with more spoken word extolling the virtues of Nikola Tesla and the result is a track dripping with atmosphere, almost bordering on the hauntological. Title track 'Abstract Concepts' takes the hauntological theme further with some spooky chiming bells redolent of 'Tubular Bells'. It evolves into an analogue masterpiece of synths and understated beats...but it those chimes that give the track a vaguely 'horror' vibe. It is a deeply absorbing track whose strength is it simplicity. 'Space Music' is exactly that - the drones sound like the vacuum of space and the synths sparkle like stars in the firmament. It has the blissed-out, kosmische feel of the seventies German scene; as chilled as Tangerine Dream or Klaus Schulze and just as accomplished. The album is brought to a close by 'A Complete Theory Of Everything' with its simple but resonant guitar providing the ambient melody....it really is quite beautiful and rounds off things off in an introspective and chilled manner.

If ever there was a soundtrack to the contemplation of man's achievements and his place in the grand scheme of things, then it's this. The atmospheres it conjures are evocative and inspiring and at times it is sublime. There are nods to the pioneers of electronica, from the kosmische legends to the aforementioned Cabaret Voltaire but 'Abstract Concepts' has a personality of its own. A wonderful slice of drone-driven class! It can be streamed and purchased via the band's Bandcamp page here (just £2 for the download or £4 for the pre-order limited edition cassette).