All Things Being Equal

It’s auspicious that Sonic Boom—the solo project and nom-de-producer of Peter Kember (Spectrum, Spacemen 3)—returns in 2020 with its first new LP in three decades. Kember’s drawn to the year’s numerological potency, and this intentionality shines into every corner of All Things Being Equal. It’s a meditative, mathematical record concerned with the interconnectedness of memory, space, consumerism, consciousness—everything. Through regenerative stories told backwards and forwards, Kember explores dichotomies zen and fearsome, reverential of his analog toolkit and protective of the plants and trees that support our lives. Sonic Boom’s second album and first for Carpark began in 2015 as electronic jams. The original sketches of electronic patterns, sequenced out of modular synths, were so appealing that Stereolab’s Tim Gane encouraged Kember to release them instrumentally. “I nearly did,” confesses Kember, “but the vibe in them was so strong that I couldn't resist trying to ice the cake.” Three years later, a move to Portugal saw him dusting off the backing tracks, adding vocals inspired by Sam Cooke, The Sandpipers, and the Everly Brothers (which he admits “don’t go far from the turntable pile”), as well as speculative, ominous spoken word segments. What emerges from these considerations on technology and humanity is a honed collection both philosophical and grooving, spacious even as it fills to its brim. It’s distinctly Kember—more than that, it’s distinctly Sonic Boom. All Things Being Equal is available in an indie store exclusive foil-sleeve LP, with 12" foil insert with artwork and poster. A digital download is included.

Released: June 2020
Cat: CAK142
Label: Carpark Records

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Tracklist

1. Just Imagine
2. Just a Little Piece of Me
3. Things Like This (A Little Bit Deeper)
4. Spinning Coins and Wishing on Clovers
5. My Echo, My Shadow and Me
6. On a Summer's Day
7. The Way That You Live
8. Tawkin Tekno
9. I Can See Light Bend
10. I Feel a Change Coming On