GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker:
Benn Jordan (aka The Flashbulb) has a long-standing knack for making genres melt. Kirlian Tapes v1.0 is no exception—a fluid, exploratory ride through tonal sketches, lofi stutters, ambient swells, and jazz-infused detours that defy cohesion in the best possible way.
What makes this collection click is exactly what might unnerve a listener craving consistency. These tracks weren’t necessarily meant to sit together—but they do, with an unspoken narrative built from experimentation. There’s no single sonic palette, but there’s always Benn’s fingerprints—pristine production, unexpected arrangements, and emotional finesse.
“King Mountain” is a standout. It begins in a mellow, almost meditative lofi mood, then pivots into lush jazz territory with a piano-led groove that’s both loose and confident. Then comes that rapid-fire bass solo—playful, poppin’, and thrilling. The interplay between acoustic piano and synth is seamless and lyrical, not just layered but in conversation.
Throughout the album, the transitions aren’t just between sections—they’re between moods, instruments, ideas. Sometimes you land somewhere serene, sometimes you’re tossed into kinetic percussive pulses or nostalgic chords that feel like half-remembered dreams.
This feels like an open sketchbook—not raw, but rather lovingly unfixed. These aren’t “demo” cuts, they’re living cuts. Unconstrained, evolving. It’s a glimpse into a process, and a satisfying listen in its own right.
Hey Benn, if you’re reading: yes, please, more of this. Keep it weird. Keep it wonderful.
Media: Digital.
Visit Benn Jordan – The Flash Bulb
Bandcamp URL: https://theflashbulb.bandcamp.com/album/kirlian-tapes-v10
