Antoine Hubineau — Dissolvè / Scillions

French electronic music composer, musician, and teacher, Antoine Hubineau, hits Arbitrary Records with his latest 7" release, Dissolvè / Scillions. Utilizing modular synth recordings, this two song ep takes the source material, reworks it, and processes these new samples in the computer, and rearranges them as brand new tracks. Describing constant motion ("Dissolvè") and fractal pathways ("Scillions"), this audio experiment gives the listener an intriguing look at an alternative method of modular synth composition.

Written and produced back in 2020, Dissolvè / Scillions reconstructs older, modular synthesizer recordings to create two new compositions. Built with a somewhat minimal framework, these compositions do not tread either the normal path of electronic music, nor that of standard modular synthesis. The cutting and reworking of material allows Hubineau to rearrange notes, tones, and textures as he sees fit, breaking what would be a standard drone or blippy recording. WIth "Dissolvè," the pieces of sound congeal to form a viscous, glitchy medium that crackles and pops with interesting aplomb. Describing a fracturing "mosaic which is in constant motion," the listener is encouraged to follow sonic pathways that dip, dive, and collapse, all in the matter of roughly five minutes. More on the quiet side, this first side is a solid, thought provoking song. "Scillions" takes the liquidity of the first song and extends it even further. With bubbles arising from the base, the second side feels like a non-Newtownian fluid, moving in unexpected ways. Similarly, this track focuses more on a minimal approach and uses varied sounds to lurch forth from the underlying layer and bring the listener closer. With the two songs coming in at just over 10 minutes, Dissolvè / Scillions is a quick listen, but should be spun a few more times to hear all its intricacies.

Reconstructing source material has been made mindbogglingly easier with the advent of the computer, and utilizing this approach can give new life to old source material. Treatments, filters, and other tools can render this unrecognizable, and source material itself becomes a brand new instrument. Antoing Hubineau's Dissolvè / Scillions 7" is an engaging, minimalistic approach to electronic reworkings of modular synthesis. Limited, white vinyl edition of 300, this 7" from Arbitrary is a quick but nice recording. For more info