Davao-based indie band electrOgourmet has finally released their full album, Satellite. After putting out four singles and one older track, the band’s entire album is now streaming on several platforms.
Satellite consists of tracks that accumulate electrOgourmet’s journey from its inception until today. The band was first a duo project in 2006 when guitarist Kre asked vocalist NeP-C to fill his instrumental demos with melodies and lyrics. Living in the same city, the two would meet during weekends to exchange physical writable compact disks.
Most of the songs were written during electrOgourmet’s active independent music journey, performing with various bands. They initially performed under the name Planeta from 2009 to 2013, then returned as Electric Gourmet from 2017 to 2018. At the onsetof the pandemic in 2021, they rebranded as electrOgourmet and home-recorded the album Satellite. Jerome Velasco of Teeth and Pupil mixed and mastered the album after Kre’s initial production.
electrOgourmet is mainly influenced by the music of the 90s and early 2000s, including bubblegum pop, indie, alternative, riot grrrl, indie OPM, and Britpop music, which melded into each of their song’s wall, tissue, and bone.
OFFSET is an angst-ridden song that flows within the waves of angry girl music Kat Stratford (of 10 Things I Hate About You) would listen to. However, it also has tinges of classic rock reminiscent of bands like Kansas and The Beatles, making the track integrative. Despite its punky nature, its melodic structure is solidified, setting it apart from the usual arrangements of pop punk and riot-grrrl tunes.
A quirky wordplay that attempts to conceal one’s contempt of relentless suitors, Fleeing Prickles is one of the songs that enjoyed fan plays on the now-defunct social media platform MySpace. Listeners said that it sounds very European, hinting at vocals reminiscent of Damon Albarn, the genius behind Blur and Gorillaz. The overall arrangement of the song implies OPM and indie influences.
You Dare is an experiment brought about by NeP-C’s new synthesizer, which alluded toher early 2000s obsession with bands such as MGMT and Tame Impala. Composed inthe C-major scale, the song sparks a contradiction with its feminist and grotesque lyrics, permeating both a dark and light aura.
sekuretu is the song that puts the electro in electrOgourmet. Although its current recording lies within the alternative rock space, one won’t be able to miss the subtle vibes of bands like Sneaker Pimps or Massive Attack. It’s one of the two Bisaya songs on the album.
As one of the band’s most recently composed tracks, Satellite dwells on a more mature theme—the strained or foreboding atmosphere in relationships reaching a breaking point. This track signifies electrOgourmet’s fondness for alternative and pop icons such as Lisa Loeb, Michelle Branch, and The Sundays.
“Your lovely instability” is the oxymoron by which FSTED (From Seascapes to El Dorado) starts. The song is the perfect recipe for an anti-romcom movie set in a sunny, happy place but with conflicting “lovers.” Its vexed, bitterpill, longful lyrics, accompanied by its upbeat and jovial sound, exemplify the rollercoaster of dating.
DAKS is an acoustic track written in 2005, during NeP-C’s high school days. She remains baffled by its inclusion in the album. Recorded impromptu and live without practice, she thinks that the track is an embarrassment. However, in the age of AI, it becomes a testament to the unyielding force of authenticity in music composition and production.
Another song fitting for a rom-com movie is Perfect Goodnight, penned by Kre, who emanates it to one of his mysterious but memorable affairs. Despite its lovely lyrics and chiming guitar riffs, the song is progressive, fluctuating through each section in several forms. Overall, it remains a charming, romantic, and introspective track.
Wandering in Downtown is a slow electronic track influenced by 90s icons Mono, Zero 7, and Portishead. The song’s poetry lyrics denote a trance-like state or sluggishness, capturing the intricacies and struggles of life.
As a collection of tracks culminating their 19th year as a band, Satellite integrates the three members’ influences, streams of consciousness, and evolution not just as musicians but as human beings navigating their personal and professional lives.
electrOgourmet – Satellite tracklist:
1. OFFSET
2. Fleeing Prickles
3. You Dare
4. DAKS (Lo-Fi)
5. sekuretu
6. Satellite
7. FSTED
8. DAKS
9. Perfect Goodnight
10. Wandering in Downtown11. Satellite (Downbeat Remix)
Satellite is now streaming on all platforms. Follow electrOgourmet to stay updated about upcoming releases, live shows, and fun content.
Listen to Satellite Here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electrogourmet/satellite
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Contact
NeP-C Ledesma: +639760281491 | electrogourmetph@gmail.com | nepcledesma@gmail.com
NeP-C Ledesma is a millennial writer and entrepreneur full of curiosity about our abstract world. She devours Psychology, food, Philosophy, and prefer cats as her all-time company. Pop Culture is her kryptonite.