
All music, certainly that which is instrumental, has a visceral quality. It is the job of many designers and video artists to grasp at what these evocative elements really conjure up. Many acts today are lucky to have a friend, or an actual member, equipped to take on the design job. But no-one is in as much of a comfortable position as Scott Hansen aka. Tycho. Hansen spends his days as an independent graphic designer under the name of IS050 – some much-needed time off has allowed this backroom project to step into the spotlight.
‘Dive’, Hansen’s first serious full-length, quite predictably comes with a cover that matches its songs. ‘Hours’’ fade-in is the audible equivalent of the sun rising over a barren wasteland. That, or it’s the sound of feet dipping into the water for the first day of the summer. For the task of artwork, Hansen went with the former.
For the purpose of simply marvelling at sleevenotes or show posters, Tycho is an artist worth maintaining an interest in. It just so helps the cause that these songs are capable of giving out a vivid image for every listener with the slightest bit of an imagination. Those left unaffected deserve sympathy.
Tycho - Hours [Dive LP - Nov. 2011] by Tycho
Festival special! Featuring Wolf Alice, Kasabian, Lykke Li, Marmozets, Genesis Owusu and more.
