eMusic Review 0
Out My Window is a great leap — or, befitting his mellow style, a tenderly aggressive shuffle — forward for Stones Throw DJ Koushik. Over the past few years, the Canadian producer has issued a promising series of EPs and remixes that recall Four Tet, Caribou and, at times, Animal Collective. But most of Koushik's older material privileged texture and form over melodies or actual songwriting — a common problem among the newish generation of soft-psych and folk-obsessed producers.
The album begins with “Morning Comes” — a sustained din of strings, some spare twinkles and some cautious whispers, all of which melt away gently, pleasantly, like an orchestra tuning before the marquee event. The previously released “Be With” turns up right after, its pivoting bass line, furious strums, hazy vocals and harp glides giving shape to Koushik's tender notions. “Lying in the Sun” is the type of song that sounds familiar upon first listen, its drums slugging away beneath Koushik's absorbing melody and a triumphant blast of horns.
More than anything, Out My Window is highlighted by Koushik's sense of restraint. He knows when to keep things short and simple, as with the gorgeous, minute-long “Forest Loop” or… read more »
