Listen to Symbion Project’s Track “The Charmed (feat. Jenni Potts)”:
Symbion Project is the work of Seattle-based electronic musician Kasson Crooker, and on September 9th he will release his eighth studio album, Arcadian (Speed of Dark Music). Featuring downtempo, beat-driven arrangements, and Crooker’s poetic take on escapism and engagement in the 21st century, the upcoming album also finds him collaborating with a host of musicians/vocalists ranging in style including Seattle’s Briana Marela (Amiina) and Jenni Potts (most recently heard on Odesza’s “White Lies”), as well as Finnish singer Markus Junnikkala (MY) and long-time collaborator Melissa R. Kaplan (Splashdown). In addition, Crooker’s electronic arrangements include a host of vintage synthesizers like a Moog Modular from the late 1960’s, as well as acoustic instruments such as classical guitar and french horns.
“The Charmed” teams up with vocalist Jenni Potts and harkens back to the stylish synth-pop of Goldfrapp’s Black Cherry, or the more melancholy leanings of Portishead. Potts’ voice shines in muted blues, and it has the bracing quality of sea air as she sings, “I went to meet you in the city”. Crooker’s minimalist arrangement features arpeggiating synth lines that ripple with texture over slow simmering strings and skeletal beat flourishes. Understated in the best of ways, “The Charmed” reveals it’s more nuanced qualities with each repeated listen.
