Pork Bun, out of Philadelphia, is out with a brand new 10 song album titled ‘Big Bobbi.” Admittedly, before discovering Pork Bun, I had never heard of the genre psychill, but their sound pulled me in immediately, so I was ready to become a fan of the genre and them. Pork Bun mixes psychill with downtempo and ambient music, including lo-fi study beats, and sounds from nature, to craft sounds that feel truly adventurous. This is a sonic journey led by Pork Bun.
Immediately, vinyl record fuzz, bells, and rain introduce the listener to the world of Pork Bun on the first track “Court Jester.” The sound is immediately calming and meditative. It feels like a sound bath that I could stay in for a long while. A soft synth pad, followed by a laid back hip hop beat take center stage, as the rain rushes in the distance. The sound remains calm and laid back. There is no overproduction or busy sounds. Pork Bun let Rock the Pigeon know that this opening track is one of his favorites on the record. He says that the creation of this song came from improvisation, and felt very organic. The title has a funny story. Pork Bun filled us in that “The name came from my chihuahua acting like a menace.” The cute little guy can be seen on the album’s cover.
The most popular track (so far) on the record is “Tin.” This song has a darker feel to it. Reflective minor chords and synth pads are dominant throughout the song. This song makes a great study beat because it leans more ambient and gives the listener plenty of space to not be distracted from their tasks or thoughts. Toward the middle, you’ll hear a fun synth bass moment, adding another layer of musicality to the production.
“Tin was an original attempt to remix ‘Smuggling the Tin,’ an old Irish folk song, that I couldn’t make work. The backing synths still have the note progressions from the original song!” – Pork Bun
Next we venture into the woods for track 3, “Song of the Forest.” This song is fully soaked in rain while birds and other animals make their calls. The song features drums that come and go, keeping the listener on their toes, and a synth line that sounds much like a traditional folk instrument. This song makes the perfect backing track for one to go inward in their own mind. It’s the soundscape of a peaceful forest with synth line that may encourage the listener to listen in closer to their thoughts. It feels like a warm blanket, or a private oasis. This was one of Pork Bun’s first compositions.
The song flows into a remix of one of Pork Bun’s earlier songs, “Warm Gyoza – Remix.” This song has a breathtaking piano chord progression. The electronic drums are laid back, careful to not take away from the piano or synth pads. After three songs without vocals, listeners may be shocked to hear a voice on this song. “Are you heading home soon?” calls out. This is a sample from a famous Anime movie, “Dorohedoro.” This song has a warm, gentle feel tone to it, filling the listener with even more peace. A sense of balance comes with this song.
A more complicated beat kicks off the next track, “FalCoin: The Only Coin for AI Falconry.” We also hear a bass line that has quite a bit of movement to it. Synth pads fill in the empty space, giving the song an ethereal feel. This song feels upbeat and filled with joy. There is a fun energy throughout this masterpiece. The title is a bit strange but Pork Bun filled us in on the meaning: “The title comes from a long running gag I pulled on a crypto scammer.”
“Seaside, Cliffside” is another love letter to nature and specifically to some of Ireland’s beautiful scenery in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher, where Pork Bun spent time in 2023. The ocean waves crash, the birds chirp, the ambient synths add to the gorgeous backdrop while a lead synth and heavy bass take center stage. This song has moments of peacefulness and moments of tension. It’s a great adventure.
Departing from the stunning cliffs of Ireland, Pork Bun takes us to Tokyo, Japan. Pork Bun wrote this song about the hustle and bustle of living in a major city. This song has some busier moments, but it’s not overly busy by any means. “Cherry Blossom” features a plucking lead synth with a unique tone and the light sound of a train. There are darker moments throughout the song, but overall the song feels very Zen. This song is also great for a meditation.
Ready to go for a walk or a stroll? The next song has got you covered. “Stroll” truly gives the feeling of a leisurely stroll through a beautiful, and happening, city. This beat even features some background dialogue in the distance, adding to the feeling of strolling through a cute little city. The synths in this song have more of a traditional folk feel to them, which gives an interesting flavor to the song. The song definitely stands out from the rest of the record because of the tone and simplicity of the track. It allows a lot of room for the listener to make use of it in the way that feels right for them – whether that’s in mediation, actually strolling through a city with headphones on, doing some homework, or as a backdrop for a chill night with friends.
“Sdneirf Gnilims” is another Pork Bun original that was given a second chance. Pork Bun remixed this beat, adding some additional sounds and flavors to it. This song has bigger sounding drums than the rest of the record. The drums lean more towards hip hop. This song also features samples from TV/film, this time from the show Smiling Friends. This track also stands out from the rest of the record because it has some haunting moments in it, led by great synth lines. The eerie flavors give the listener another layer of adventure to sink into it.
The album concludes with “Down the River.” This song takes us back to Ireland, or really wherever the listener wants to be. Pork Bun says that the song “draws upon my time in Ireland, specifically the majesty of the Liffy running through Dublin and the Corrib running through Galway.” This song ends the record off just as strongly as it starts. The beat is commanding of the listener’s attention. The drums are simple but play out in the perfect rhythm and style to pop. This song features many synth layers, making this a great synthscape, and sonic journey.
This is one of Pork Bun’s first compositions.
Please support Pork Bun by listening/buying via Bandcamp:
Track Listing:
Court Jester
Tin
Song of the Forest
Warm Gyoza (Remix)
FalCoin: The Only Coin for AI Falconry
Seaside, Cliffside
Cherry Blossom
Stroll
Sdneirf Gnilims (Remix)
Down the River
Written by Ryan Cassata
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