Brainfeeder has today revealed “Promises,” the first track taken from Dorian Concept‘s upcoming album, The Nature of Imitation. 

Following the release of Joined Ends in 2014—a deeply intimate and textured project he describes as his “chamber music” record—Dorian Concept performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Sonar and then deliberately took himself off the radar. We’re told that the time since has been spent meticulously un-learning his production process and developing a “brand new sound” that even the most clued-up won’t be expecting—as showcased on “Promises.”

Born Oliver Thomas Johnson, the self-taught keyboardist and producer first caught the attention of the Brainfeeder crew in its infancy when head honcho Flying Lotus discovered Dorian Concept’s MySpace profile and included a remix in his debut Essential Mix (2008). Dorian Concept went on to tour with FlyLo’s live band, appeared at some of Brainfeeder’s earliest international label nights in 2009, and released a string of EPs and albums for Kindred Spirits imprint Nod Navigators, Affine, and Ninja Tune—as well as remixing Taylor McFerrin, contributing production to Thundercat’s The Golden Age of Apocalypse, and playing keys on Flying Lotus’ seminal Cosmogramma. 

The record takes inspiration from multi-generational eclecticism (‘60s jazz, ‘70s fusion, ‘80s neo prog-rock, ‘90s electronica). We’re told that Dorian Concept sought to replicate “modern” music elements with old-fashioned methods, live-playing, and hand-recording deceptively digital sounds in service of a tongue-in-cheek “parody of nostalgia.” He produced the record largely in 2016 and 2017, and describes it as follows:  

Using a different vocabulary.

“Lively, Chaotic and Loud”

Sloppy Virtuosity.

Deconstructed with Love.

Audible Uncertainty.

Visceral.

Crowded.

Somewhat of a Study.

Fast-paced.

Pointless … Meaning there’s no dot at the end.

Tracklisting

01. Promises

02. Angel Shark

03. J Buyers

04. A Mother’s Lament

05. No Time Not Mine

06. Pedestrians

07. Self Similarity

08. Dishwater

09. E13

10. The Space

11. You Give And Give

The Nature of Imitation LP will land on August 3, with “Promises” streaming in full below—or here for EU readers due to temporary GDPR restrictions.