Måns Billner- ‘Time is (Mostly) Construct x’ [Album Review]

The project starts on a high note with “Close to the Sun” with a cinematic texture laced with pulsating synths. A prevalent bass-driven rhythm and expansive sound design. The track’s progressive approach is commendable as the use of smooth piano riffs and reflective flute adds an emotional element to the somewhat robotic parts of the track. The next track, “Ancient Tech XVI,” has a warm and atmospheric feel reminiscent of a trippy scene from a sci-fi flick. The main melody is rich and plays like a mantra, but the icing on the cake is the way Billner flips and layers his instrumentation. From the dark electronic elements to the acoustic parts, he merges both worlds in a pleasingly contrasting way.

“The Radiation Filosophy” starts with a plucky guitar riff that slowly moves into a rumbunctious and energetic piece with punchy drums and lively fills that signify changes. The track uses multiple elements from genres like bedroom pop, experimental electronic music to cloud trap and even jazz. The horn passes are unprecedented, but overall, they add an extra layer of soul to the mix. “Time Paradox no. 13” is as cinematic as it gets. The slow build-up and soul-stirring guitar riffs all come together over a punchy four-to-the-floor rhythm that rises into a crescendo with laser blips and pulsating basslines. It sounds like something Imagine Dragons could sing over. Once again, the producer switches it up with a sparse trap drum arrangement, which keeps the momentum going. On the other hand, “Complex Biology” has an interesting fusion of folk elements with modern electronic trap vibes, and while it sounds like an unlikely team, it works perfectly here.

The last two tracks, “Human Outbounds” and “Schumann Resonance,” help bring the project to a close. The former has a video game-esque vibe with its main plucky synths acting as the main character. However, the track continues to evolve and grow with Billner adding major chord changes and instrumental additions that move the vibes into a folk-ish type vibe. Overall, I must add that there is so much to unpack as the track never feels stale at any point in time.

The final track, “Schumann Resonance,” brings listeners along for a ride of a lifetime. The title is a reference to the phenomenon where electromagnetic waves are emitted at low frequencies and are trapped in the cavity between the Earth’s surface and the ionosphere. The track itself evokes a feeling of sadness, or rather a bittersweet moment where clarity comes into play. From the looming synths, cryptic sound design, crunchy drums, and pulsating synth leads to the distorted bassline, listeners are led into an aural phenomenon that resonates deep in the heart.