Floating Points has released a new three song mini-ep titled “Ocotillo”. It is hard to accurately describe everything that is going on in these tracks with words. I wish I could formulate three quick sentences that just made it so you went and gave these tracks a go and listened to them as soon as possible. The more people that listened to this music the quicker, the better off we would be. When I hear these tracks, they feel so refreshing. 

Since the term lo-fi is very popular, I will coin this album as some sort of branch of lo-fi music. Although, I am not sure what that even means anymore. Floating Points has released several pieces of music that have caused me several moments of severe happiness. His previous stuff, as far as I have heard it, has had a different energy level. His soul is still in this music, but this is the first time I remember associating the rhythm and the beat so much with Floating Points music. My previous favorite track of his is “Falaise”. Also, Floating Points' work on the “Promises” album together with Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra will forever be some of the most beautiful and interesting music I have heard. 

When I read about the Ocotillo desert plant, which the album is named after, I immediately start thinking about the meaning of the song in that context. 

One text says: “Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) are one of the easiest plants to identify in the desert”. 

It could be the case that this is a comment on the music landscape and that Floating Points sees this EP as some sort of oasis in the desert. To me it certainly feels that way. The tracks carry the melodic essence of what makes floating points records great. At the same time it has some really convincing drum patterns that do not necessarily make me want to groove but rather just get more immersed in the song itself. 

I just found an Ocotillo plant in the desert. Unfortunately in this case I have to uproot it. I take it home on my magic carpet. I grind it, soak it, give it some time, let it cook. I take my time and give this album the 22 minutes and 20 seconds of my time it so humbly asks.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!