GENRE; Electronic
LABEL; Kudzu Audio
RATING; 6.7
Live captures the immersive energy and atmospheric breadth of Purelink’s performances across their 2024 U.S. tour, presenting not a traditional concert recording but a curated collage of moments that reflect the trio’s evolving sonic identity.
Purelink—a Chicago‑born, New York‑based ambient electronic trio comprised of Tommy Paslaski (Concave Reflection), Ben Paulson (kindtree), and Akeem Asani (Millia)—have steadily expanded their palette since their early releases, moving from dub‑infused ambient sketches to more textured and emotionally complex soundscapes. Live continues this trajectory, balancing ethereal ambience with physical presence in a way that mirrors the duo’s live sets: spacious, unpredictable, and subtly dynamic.
The album’s Side A unfolds like a drift through sonic fog—shape‑shifting ambient textures, murky chords, and glitchy electronic fragments swell and recede in a way that feels less like songs and more like evolving weather systems. The lack of conventional structure turns listening into an experience of mood and environment rather than pulse or melody. A standout moment arrives midway through in the form of a slowed‑down snippet of conversation and laughter—a quirky, human interlude that breaks the abstraction with warmth and personality.
On Side B, previously unreleased—yet more melodic—materials emerge: sharper instrument focus, dubbed basslines, and hints of guitar, piano, and even saxophone gestures that occasionally channel post‑rock influences while maintaining Purelink’s ambient roots.
Live doesn’t seek to replicate a concert; instead, it deconstructs it into a fluid mixtape of textures, moods, and fleeting moments, demonstrating Purelink’s mastery in crafting sound worlds that are equally thoughtful and evocative.
Overall, Live is a compelling testament to Purelink’s artistic range—a reflective blend of ambient drift and rhythmic tension that rewards deep listening.