Broken Computer [CLIPP185]by Froman

Froman is an electronic artist based in Galway. He humbly describes himself as producer of smooth lofi house, breakbeat and future garage, but i’d hazard to argue he’s more like a young Irish vibe god (possibly Aengus, the deity associated with love, youth and poetic inspiration).

Why the lofty accolades you may enquire, dear reader? For starters, in case you were born without ears - figuratively speaking (!!!!) (Please save your hate tweets people that know people that know someone born with Anotia/Microtia) lemme break it down for you. You see, Froman produces lofi like Neo sees ones and zeros in the matrix. He has an innate ability to reduce tunes down into their pure essence of vibedom. Witness here his “Broken Computer” release comprising four tracks of simplest pleasure. This is a guy that doesn’t ask himself “does this track need another pad?” (the answer is always NO). And if there ever was for some inexplicable reason an inkling of the urge to layer another clap or snare drum, there is no evidence present of such artistic struggle happening within or around any of these tunes.

What there is though is an abundance of “old-school” energy. Whether it be the Style Wars era commentary versus filter funk of “Crime in the City”, school-wagging sass over the lazy groove of “OK I’ll Go”, slam poetry musings floating over a lonely slow mo TR909 on “The Art of Rhyme” or frozen beach horizon backgrounds and jackin upfront beat of “Nothing Much”, these tracks transport listeners to bygone times. Like your own personal Delorean.

Some might say these sounds already sit in and of themselves in an outdated era. Obsolete. Like the fragmented files found on a broken computer. But a bit of nostalgia couldn’t hurt getting us through what has been a shit show start to the new decade. And as we draw the curtain on the truly bizarre year of 2020, we’re reminded gently that the journey is still the kick.

Released December 4, 2020