Released: October 20, 2023

Genre: Electronic / Jazz

From: UK

Label: 555-5555

Why you should listen: London-based electronic artist patten has been making groundbreaking, futuristic music this year, having released the first text-to-audio AI samples album in Mirage FM. His unique approach to making music and incorporating AI has been fascinating to me. All the sounds you hear are AI-generated, made using self-customized text-to-audio AI notebooks, a forensically detailed process of cutting and splicing the generated fragments, DSP, layering, and intensive post-production. The results are pretty phenomenal, patten’s genius shines throughout. The arrangements on tracks such as the opening “Tarrash”, with its swirling synths and light drumming make way for some more emphatic drumming, synth melodies that sound vibrant and full of life, and an energy that is just infectious. The atmospheric “Nimzo” and drum-heavy “London System” are both incredible tracks, while the fast-paced fiery jazz Réti is also a highlight. “Burn Variation” is the 8-minute centerpiece of this album, and has intense jazz drumming, atmospheric ambient moments and a darker, more unassuming tone throughout. It captures patten’s ability as a composer and arranger. As I mentioned in my Mirage FM review, the fact that these are AI samples doesn’t really matter, it’s the arrangements and compositions of the artist that make this such a fascinating listen. “Jaenisch” is an immersive and hypnotic track, while the rhythms of “Ruy”, “Main Line” and “Alapin” close out the album with rhythmic, synth-heavy compositions that feel emotive and are genuinely stunning. The 9 compositions on Deep Blue shine a light on patten’s talents as an arranger, with tracks that are engaging, hypnotic full of colour and life. Recommend it!

The album: