Master of Groove Marley Carroll Releases “Migration/Monarch”

On “Migration,” stuttering breakbeats anchor atmospheric melodies, moody keyboards, sparkling chimes, filtered breaths, and vibrant chirping.

On the heels of acclaimed double singles “Starlings/Seven Crows” and “Shiver/Fireflies,” classically-trained beat maker Marley Carroll releases “Migration/Monarch,” his third pairing of tracks from his upcoming LP Flight Patterns, out 11.16 on Loci Records.

It is a lush, somewhat melancholic, and cinematic composition that connects human and animal elements. “Migration is about the necessity of adapting to change, which is one of nature’s immutable rules,” says Marley. “We are all waking up to the notion that we have an uncertain future, humans and birds included.”

“Monarch” picks up the pace with an ambient house tempo, funky blips, glistening harp chords, nature samples, and a dialogue between treated vocals. It is a deeply romantic piece with an undeniable groove that ends on a jazzy, cosmic riff. Referring to the epic migration of monarch butterflies that inspired the track, Marley says, “It’s a beautiful display of endurance and innate rhythms. I tried to evoke the fluttering clouds of orange color with harp glissandos and chord clusters. This song has an ease and flow that relieves some of the tension found on the rest of Flight Patterns.”

Mixing analog and digital gear with field recordings, Marley Carroll’s work has drawn comparisons with Tycho and Four Tet and earned acclaim from NPR, Pitchfork, and Stereogum. The Asheville, NC-based artist has shared the stage with like-minded musicians Floating Points, Bonobo, and DJ Shadow and will be opening for electronic legends The Orb on 10/31 at The Orange Peel. He will celebrate the album release of Flight Patterns with a show on December 14 at the Mothlight in Asheville, NC.

Marley has been described as a “connoisseur of groove, a tastemaker with a diverse palette, who’s gifted in the dark arts of composition, production, and turntablism” by Loci Records founder Emancipator. The talents that inspired such praise are on elegant display on “Migration/Monarch.”