How to Make a Great First Impression

One of the great joys of the new year turned out to be a small netlabel out of Los Angeles, California called Absence of Wax. The netlabel, curated by Devin Sarno, has so far released seven single-track releases. Sarno’s First Impression was the first release of this odd label — I mean that in a good way — that will be specializing “experimental / improvised / ambient sound”. The single track of First Impresssion which is dreadfully too short, but I think that’s the point as it keeps the audience wanting more and making them go back and download other releases. First Impressions begins with recordings of our daily life: a dog barking in the distance, wind chimes, and maybe the dull sounds of traffic. The drones sweep in, building as the dogs disappear and a melody arrives. And then the track ends with the click of a tape recorder. The simplicity of this track is awe inspiring.