Review: To Virtual Perfection Cowboy, Art is Meant to Be Experienced
DREAMY, STRANGE AND OTHERWORLDLY — Have you ever wondered what would happen if classically rooted, yet experimental and abstract production styles sounded like in an avant-garde context? Thanks to Virtual Perfection Cowboy’s new EP Energy Mirror: The Prelude, you don’t have to. Dreamy, strange and otherworldly, Virtual Perfection Cowboy has crafted a sound on the knife's edge that splits genre from convention, realism from surrealism, and life from fantasy.
Energy Mirror: The Prelude begins with an ascending, cinematic stroke of vibrancy. One can imagine themselves waking up from a peaceful dream to a shining sun and cool breeze. Warm, effervescent tones envelop the listener, inviting them into the journey of the EP.
“Nowhere” follows suit, a radiant accompaniment to the first track. Due to its five-and-a-half-minute runtime, its tempo and sense of urgency build slowly and steadily. A pulsating drum beat accelerates throughout the song's length, and atop lay ethereal strokes of sonic texture.
Listeners are next transported to an otherworldly dance floor with “Welcome 2 the Endless Dream.” A deep and driving baseline is layered beneath bouncy, bell-like beats.
“Energy Mirror” reigns in the tempo for a slightly more relaxed, beachy feel.
“Heat” is an atmospheric, ambient journey that feels like traveling through space and time.
Lastly, “Breath Belongs to Breath” takes a left turn into krautrock territory with its swirling synths and sleepy style. As if falling back into a dream, the track perfectly rounds out the listening journey from the opening track.
Luna had the pleasure of chatting with Virtual Perfection Cowboy about all things NYC living, non-monetized hobbies, and of course the new EP. When asked how living in New York City affects his songwriting practices, Virtual Perfection Cowboy said, “My parents were both in the arts. My dad is a painter and my mom is in publishing, so I got to grow up around a lot of weird artists and get exposed to a bunch of different creative influences, and I think you can see that in my music.”
We went on to chat about his hobbies outside making music, which we both agreed are important to have. “I don’t know if this is necessarily a hobby,” Virtual Perfection Cowboy says. “My spiritual practices are a huge part of my life, especially meditation and yoga.” He went on to stress the importance of using exercise and spirituality as a means on grounding oneself enough to make art. Video games are also one of his favorite hobbies, and he says “It’s just for me. Since music has become more of a career for me, it’s nice to have a way to relax where I’m not trying to get anywhere or prove anything.”
In speaking about the new EP, Virtual Perfection Cowboy wants us all to know how proud and excited he is for the full album to come out.
“Energy Mirror is going to be a 25-track concept album that I’ve written a whole plot for, and we’re planning a really unique immersive release show that’s going to combine art, immersive theater, and dance along with music to tell the story of the album,” he says.
Virtual Perfection Cowboy loves how the EP represents a culmination of his musical and artistic styles, and wants us all to keep an eye out for his future releases.
Virtual Perfection Cowboy has demonstrated his producing prowess in an EP that is equal parts strange and beautiful. Psychedelic, classical and groovy, Energy Mirror: The Prelude represents the future of the ambient music world. Experience the full album upon its release, and stay tuned for Virtual Perfection Cowboy’s future projects.
