Down [HTX131] –  All the Stores are Closed (2024)

Album: Down 

Artist: All the Stores are Closed

Release Date: April 5, 2024

Label: Heterodox Records

Bandcamp: All the Stores are Closed

I saw All The Stores are Closed live at a local venue in Portland a couple of months ago. Even though I’d met the creative force behind All The Stores are Closed, J Morales, I still don’t think I was prepared for what I saw. Instead of the normal broody and dark electronic sound that I’ve become accustomed to in the Portland electronic scene, I was hit with a mist of refreshing percussive purity. His set seemed improvisational, but remained well balanced and sounded fresh yet somehow familiar. After that set, I decided I needed to listen to more of his music.

Down is appropriately titled: it’s down and dirty, but pure. It doesn’t hide behind effects like a cathedral reverb or an overindulgent delay; the drums are front and center. The first track “Nights” is like a boot through a door that thought it was well fortified. So many rolling synths that meet crisp percussion like water meeting the sand on a beach. There’s a sense of restraint here, as if the track is holding back just enough to keep you leaning in. The second track “Electro Voice” is where the drums meet the melody, they blend so seamlessly, creating a sort of odd textured sound of math – I mean, that’s the only way I can describe it.

The third track “TekTok” maintains that texture but allows you to indulge a little bit more into the melody. The synths are still perfectly in sync with the percussion, but it’s so tightly wound that you just accept where you’re at now. But, “Tubbs” (track 4), is when things get serious. I love how Morales lets the track unfurl and branch out into a more melodic and bright space, providing a nice contrast to the tightly pack feel of the previous tracks. “Tubbs” is the standout track. The album winds down with its final track “Underlord” – it’s the darkest track on the album and it’s filled with this deep bass that never gets old. It shreds and it cuts right through you, leaving you wanting more. Just the way I like it.

Absolutely check out this album. Highly recommend.