Audiopile Review: Having already introduced us to Omni Gardens, Loris S. Sarid and Cole Pulice, we’re always excited to hear a new release from Portland’s Moon Glyph imprint. This time around we’re treated to the vinyl debut from Belgian artist Oval Angle, who has had a very slow drip of cassette releases (averaging one every 4 years) issued across various bedroom imprints over the past decade plus. Oval Angle slots nicely into the Moon Glyph aesthetic, his charming electronic pieces are miniature worlds of whirring electronics, gently blipping tones and cascades of celestial synth. The approach is a little less of the ambient wallpaper than some of his label mates, pursuing a more kinetic pulse with his intricate web of percolating electronics, veering at times close to a hybrid IDM meets Plantasia type of vibe. This is actually plays as a nice companion piece to our recent highlight by Japanese trio Unknown Me, their elaborate but inviting glow of Japanese Environmental music syncs neatly with Oval Angle’s turquoise-hued transmissions.

Oval Angle is the moniker of Geran Knol, a Dutch multidisciplinary visual artist and musician based in Antwerp, Belgium. His instrumental electronic music blends mellow and playful tones, characterized by plucky, offbeat sound design and wavering, askew melodies. Geran’s composition process is akin to a sketch on paper, slowly evolving and mutating as elements are added, subtracted, and altered. His debut LP for Moon Glyph, “Figures of Speech”, utilizes circular, melodic repetition found in minimalist compositions and avant-pop songforms. Like Geran’s visual art, it masterfully captures a sense of child-like wonder and wide-eyed naiveté.