The Stargazer’s Assistant’s — Modular Fields
Modular Fields is the fifth feature-length from this British three-piece. It features four around fifteen-minute tracks, which each move through varied and esoteric themed electronica and ambient sonic journeys. Bringing to mind the likes of Tangerine Dream, Coil, as well as slightly more abstract fare/ freeform electro-fare.
The release appears on Poland’s Zoharum, as either a CD or a double vinyl release. I’m reviewing the former, which is presented in six panel white digipak- featuring old black and white portrait pictures of children overlaid by pine trees and detailed shape-like stamps.
For this album from late 2025, the line-up was- David J. Smith ( Guapo, The Holy Family), David J. Knight (UnicaZurn), Michael J. York (ex-Coil), and Antti J. Uusimaki ( Uzu Noir).
Things kicked off with “Field I”. It starts with warbling ‘n’ wavering synth harmonics, which fairly soon get added to a pulsing, scuttling, and simmering beat pattern. As things progress, the synth tones shift more into hovering, climbing, and descending pitches; it feels like we’re very much in a dizzying euphoric orbit- either literally around a planet or within our own heads. As we move on, we come to sinister tech like key chops, snaking beats, buzzing & glimmering synth lines- which seemingly get denser & denser. Before later shifting into where strange primaeval bays & calls meet moody steady climb synth throb & more abstract electro buzzers & glides.
On “Field III” we move from busy collusions of buzzing electro chatter, electro-ethnic beat weave, and hauntingly bobbing vibe flows. Later moving on to baying tone feed back meets climbing to spaced out key patterns, and sci-fi electro unease. Before resolving on eerier tone swoops and disquieting synth buzz.
I won’t detail the other two tracks, so as to leave some surprise/ sonic adventuring in place. But trust me, each of the tracks takes you on a rewarding and varied ride- with lots of interesting pace changes and shifting atmosphere.
Over the years, we’ve reviewed most of The Stargazer’s Assistant’s output on M[m], and they have consistently put out well-crafted and involving albums that rewardingly blend electronica with ambience. And Modular Fields is no exception to this.