Album Review: BASECAMP EP

If you don’t yet know about BASECAMP, listen and learn. The mysterious electronica group boasted nearly 90,000 Soundcloud plays on their very first track posted only one month ago. “Emmanuel” teased us for the duration of August. Now the trio of producers that make up BASECAMP has released a four-song, self-titled EP.

It’s gathered attention in the blogosphere and duly earned comparisons to James Blake and Sampha. The difference is that BASECAMP’s down tempo, R&B-fused electronica sounds shinier and more full. They skillfully dip into a wide variety of influences without ever cluttering their expansive soundscapes.

The threesome meld huge washes of synth reminiscent of early M83 with all the minor key eeriness of Witch House. Add to that irresistible drum and bass beats and an R&B voice as smooth as melted chocolate. It all comes together with surprising grace.

More than the unexpected musical mashes, the most surprising feature of BASECAMP is that the band members are from Nashville, not exactly the capital of R&B or electronica. They’ve remained low-profile and haven’t published pictures of themselves in relation to the group or EP. What we do know is that Aaron Miller, Aaron Harmon, and Jordan Reyes joined up after working separately as musicians and producers. They intended their EP to be a side-project collaboration for experimentation and fun. It seems they’ve stumbled onto a more productive alliance than they had imagined.

Although “Emmanuel” is the above touted first single to come off the EP, “2 Thingz” exemplifies BASECAMP’s finesse in the studio. Their music borrows from EDM but steers clear of that genre’s unrelenting roller coaster of drops. Waves of wistful cello wash in and out between a monstrous chorus that tastefully climaxes and drops only twice. The live strings serve to create tension that reflects the anger and sadness of the lyrics. Fortunately, they’re stronger in this department than the songs’ titles would lead you to believe. (Don’t let them deter you.) BASECAMP’s members aren’t ready to publish a book of poems with lyrics like, “I’m only now seeing how foolish we’re being. The clock we move forward can only bring more hurt.” But they do simply and honestly capture the pain of a growing rift between lovers.

BASECAMP’s creative, soulful sound leaves us wanting more than just a four song EP, but patience is a virtue, good things come to those who wait, et cetera, et cetera. We’ll have to hunger on until this three-some creates more of their brand of slow-burning electronica atmosphere.

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Caroline McDonald

My first memory is of singing Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” quietly to myself during preschool naptime. Perhaps it’s because I’m from Nashville where an instrument lives in every home, but music has gripped me for as long as I can remember.

After dabbling in many parts of the music industry—recording studios, PR, management, labels, publishing—I’m expanding into music journalism because I’m yet to find anything more rewarding that finding and sharing new music.

A longtime sucker for girls with guitars, my musical taste unabashedly follows the songwriting lineage of Dolly Parton and includes Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, and Neko Case. But not to pigeonhole myself, my music love is big love that stretches from R.L. Burnside to Animal Collective to Lord Huron.

I’ve recently moved home to Nashville after living in Boston and Big Sur for several years. I’d forgotten how music pours onto the streets ten hours a day, seven days a week. I’m honored to share the creative explosion happening here. If your band is in the area or of the area, please reach out!