Damon Eliza Palermo

Contemplative and calming, “Delacorta” kicks off Damon Eliza Palermo's Beacon of Maracaibo release with flowing piano and bubbling electronic tones playing under a pleasant, naturalistic bed of chirping birds. Slightly glitchy but undeniably relaxing even when it introduces a cymbal-heavy beat late in the going, the opener transitions into a lengthy title track awash in sweeping synths, seesawing vocal tones and airy ambient effects. “Zoa Peak” switches from being a bright, ethereal mood piece to downright propulsive electro when electronic rhythms are introduced, while more mysterious and even vaguely ominous album closer “Man is Wild” places humming wordless vocal accents on top of pulsing, inquisitive synth. Though I liked the variety of sound and atmospheric tone of Palermo's work, I was left a bit confused by moments when the musician tossed live percussion into the mix, particularly during the title track. Here, the almost obstentatious drumming distracts from the more dreamy elements at work, undermining the experience to some degree. Beacon of Maracaibo winds up a worthwhile ambient release, but one that's not at all essential.

6.8 / 10 — Andy