A sonically rich debut album from China-born, Vancouver-based electronic musician Yu Su, Yellow River Blue defies easy categorization. Showcasing Su’s range, the album opens with the layered, danceable “Xiu” before diving into more leftfield territory. “Futuro” is an ambient-leaning dub track, while “Touch Me Not” is full-on ambient bliss. The next few tracks, “Gleam” and “Melaleuca,” are mid tempo rollers that crank things up a notch while sticking within the album’s overall theme by incorporating atmospheric textures and far eastern melodies. “Klein” is a throwback take on trip-hop, with warped, swirling vocals taking center stage backed by sluggish, heavy drums. “Dusty,” a brooding ambient number and the synthy, balearic “Meleleauca (at night)” round out a thoroughly listenable and well-rounded album. Highly recommended.
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