Album Review :
Jay Tholen - Blood Fete EP
By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed
Artist: Jay Tholen
Album: Blood Fete EP
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: February 11, 2011
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklisting
- Party Invitation
- Seaport Crow Station
- All of All Our Fountains
- In Pursuit
- Blood Fete
- Here Am I
A few months ago, I introduced you all to Jay Tholen’s chiptunes/ bit-pop stylings through his latest record, Control Me. Now back with a fresh EP, Jay continues to explore the world of unique, video-game inspired electronic music with Blood Fete.
The release begins with “Party Invitation,” a fun, upbeat song with catchy melodies and grooving bass. From there, the songs become more spacey with slow, eerie sounds and vocals that are either buried in the background or not there at all. The title track is a call to look to Christ’s death on the cross and give him our burdens, but it is presented musically in a way that is more unsettling than comforting. In fact, while the songs are all pretty “mellow” musically, listening to the EP all the way through might leave some people on edge.
Overall: While Control Me wasn’t exactly “light,” Blood Fete comes across darker, heavier, and more bizarre. If you liked the last one or are looking for some music that’s really different than what you’re used to hearing, Jay’s EP offers a promising listen. All proceeds from this release go to supporting his youth ministry’s summer service trip.