EP Review: Ultrasonic Future Outlaw - Echoes EP

Rating: ★★★★★  

In a music scene often preoccupied with the high-energy, Ultrasonic Future Outlaw's debut, Echoes EP, is a refreshing retreat into the contemplative. This five-track release is not just an auditory journey; it's a meditation on space, stillness, and the complex web of modern life. With a carefully curated mix of ambient and downtempo elements, the EP stands as both a homage to electronic pioneers and a statement of this artist’s distinct voice.

The EP opens with "Thoughts Dissolve like Clouds," a track that lives up to its name. This downtempo, vocal-led piece sets the mood with gentle beats and airy melodies, punctuated by soft, ghostly vocals that drift in and out of the mix. The song has a mesmerising quality, with the artist layering textures that echo the minimalist influences of Philip Glass while hinting at the depth of Brian Eno's ambient experiments. It’s an invitation to slow down and let your thoughts disperse—like watching a sunset over the city from a rooftop.

"Connected to Everything" follows a similar path, delving deeper into the downtempo territory. There's a more grounded beat, but it's cushioned by lush, swirling pads and a tender vocal line that gives the track a deeply human feel. It’s here that Ultrasonic Future Outlaw’s love for poetic expression shines, as the lyrics, though sparse, resonate like mantras lost in a sea of ambient waves. There’s a meditative aspect to this track that feels both introspective and universal, touching on the artist’s fascination with Buddhist and Taoist ideas.

The EP then takes a turn into the purely atmospheric with “Abandoned Dreams” an ambient piece that pays homage to Harold Budd's legacy. The melodies here are fragile and beautiful—delicate guitar lines fade in and out of a haze of reverb, like memories that surface only to recede again. This track is an aural representation of impermanence, capturing the fleeting nature of dreams and aspirations with stunning simplicity.

As we move into “Thoughts (Ambient)“ the fourth track, the EP embraces an even more minimalistic approach. This wash of sound feels like a continuation of "Abandoned Dreams," but it's even more stripped back, with drones and shimmering textures that ebb and flow without any clear direction—reminiscent of Global Communication’s ambient work on 76:14. It’s an exercise in patience and subtlety, and while it may feel challenging to listeners seeking more structure, it's undeniably effective in creating a space for reflection.

Closing the EP is “Connected (Ambient)” an ambient reprise that acts as a companion piece to “Thoughts (Ambient)” Stripped of the earlier track’s rhythmic elements, "Connected" becomes a floaty, meditative soundscape, almost like an echo of the EP’s previous themes. It’s a quiet, understated finish, emphasising the power of stillness in an often-overwhelming world. The choice to end on such a tranquil note is a deliberate and powerful one, encapsulating the EP’s thematic core: connection, transience, and the calm within chaos.

The production throughout Echoes EP is meticulously crafted. Ultrasonic Future Outlaw’s background in the visual arts is evident in the way sounds are layered—textures are painted with a delicate hand, each tone serving its purpose in a larger, holistic picture. Drawing on influences like Susumu Yokota and Global Communication, there’s a timelessness to these tracks that makes them feel familiar yet fresh, like a rediscovered favourite record from a forgotten era of electronica.

Echoes EP is a strong debut. It's a subtle, introspective record that invites the listener to pause, breathe, and simply be—a rare offering in the hyper-paced world of electronic music. For those who appreciate the quiet beauty of ambient soundscapes, Ultrasonic Future Outlaw has crafted a serene yet deeply resonant experience. There’s a sense that this EP is only the beginning, a prelude to a larger and more expansive sonic journey. Whatever comes next, it's clear that Ultrasonic Future Outlaw has firmly established themselves as an artist worth watching, a true sonic alchemist capable of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.