Xperi-Lab’s second experimental ambient album, Dialog With Machines, invites listeners into a captivating dialogue between man and machine. Led by multi-instrumentalist Ghislain Caya, Xperi-Lab was founded in 2022 to explore the endless possibilities of sound. With Dialog With Machines, this experimental journey takes form as a tribute to technology and the tools used to shape modern music.
Drawing from influences like Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Depeche Mode, Dialog With Machines blends electronic elements with organic sounds, creating a rich, immersive experience. Tracks such as “Transparent Species” and “Alien Invasion in Philadelphia” push the boundaries of sonic experimentation by using heavily treated field recordings in place of traditional synthesizers. These unique soundscapes transport listeners to otherworldly environments, making each listen a new adventure. On “The Preacher,” Caya uses the Korg 770 to generate all synth sounds, layering it with vocals to create a track that feels minimal yet profound.
The most distinct feature of this album is its ability to transcend you through its tracks. The first track, for example, is mysterious and dark with a hint of curiosity. One can absolutely hear it playing as a thriller movie soundtrack. The second track, In Extremis, raises doubts. The use of faded background noise adds an exceptional sense of overthinking and confusion – extremis can be translated into “at the point of death;” this could be an mere imagination of our mental status at this point, when we are at extremis and we don’t really know what to think or feel, we are just irritated and confused. Population Zero could come across as more of an authoritative, focused, and observative kind of ambient track. It feels as if you are observing the world around you and overseeing its tricks and secrets. Could this be the artist’s view of the afterlife giving the placement of this track in this album? Even if we don’t get to a definitive answer, this album is without a doubt an emotional and imaginative conversational journey with life perceptions and machines.
Recorded in La Tuque and self-produced, Dialog With Machines stands as a testament to Caya’s relentless pursuit of innovation. The album’s ethos is rooted in exploration, constantly pushing the limits of what sound can be. Each track offers a new discovery, revealing hidden layers and intricate details upon repeated listens.
Dialog With Machines isn’t just an album; it’s an open-ended conversation where technology and creativity meet. Xperi-Lab invites you to step into this sonic world and experience a dynamic, ever-evolving dialogue with the machines that shape our musical future.