Jonathan Ortiz
Head to any of Pluto Era’s social media pages and a transfixing Oleg Kremeshnoy-designed alien logo engages you visually. Small circles expand into larger ones. Segments fracture off and change color. Its composition is clear cut and its depth, utterly mesmerizing. But, most notably, it visualizes the acute aesthetic themes Pluto Era infuses into his own music, nowhere more present that his new “Proto Human” EP.
This recent project showcases a fresh, multi-faceted Pluto Era, each track as engaging as the last. Baffling neuro-bass grooves seamlessly melt down into neck-breaking glitch percussion. High-pressure patterns rapidly build upon themselves before effectively crumbing under their own weight, forming experimental stretches of shifting tempo and complexity. A host of diverse sonic concepts dissected across the 4-song tracklist ultimately float away in a dream-soft soundscape called “Foolish Immortal,” crafting an air of awareness-expansion to close out the EP.
“Proto Human” is as palatable as it is intricate. Not once does Pluto Era lead your ear down a path that doesn’t resolve itself into a more alluring, complete musical idea. It’s a sign of a well-seasoned producer, although we’re not particularly surprised this Philly-bred artist is one. Just ecstatic he continues to put it out there for our enjoyment.