Kid Koala is back! But maybe not as you remember him? The veteran Montreal DJ blesses us with a new full length that expands his sonic horizons far beyond the turntables. Most of us got to know Eric San (aka Kid Koala) through his clever and playful use of scratching, beat juggling and incredible DJ sets (some of you might've even caught him live at TTL NY).  Sure we all know he's nice on the decks, but what you know about his stunning original compositions? Music To Draw To - Satellite expands on ideas formed on 2011's Space Cadet: Original Still Picture Score, on which San took a step back from the decks - but here he takes it even further with songs composed solely on guitar, bass, synth, and only the very occassional scratch sound effect which honestly, you probably won't notice. It's truly an engulfing and majestic work that leans heavily in cosmic ambient zones (reminiscent of Eno's Apollo at times) with touches of electro-pop and post-rock. Icelandic singer Emily Torrini adds a human element with Bjork-like vocals on several tracks, making you almost forget that you're listening to a Kid Koala album. 18 tracks to make you bust out the doodle pad and zone out. Includes 16 page booklet and digital download.

• double vinyl
• 16 page CD-size booklet
• digital download included
• music label: Arts & Crafts 2017

reviewed by Robson Frye 05/2017