The final releases in the Reality Refresh series have been released digitally, and are available to stream/download across all platforms. There are still a very limited amount of cassettes available as well, if physical formats are your thing.
Some words about Reality Refresh 3:
Roll the windows down, and breathe in that cool ocean breeze. Another trip, another opportunity to hit refresh on your reality: Teen Daze returns with the third EP in his Reality Refresh series, filled with more light grooves, delicate guitar melodies and rolling percussion.
We begin on that aforementioned coastal drive, which is where NBD (which could stand for No Bad Days, or No Big Deal, you decide!) sits right at home. Maybe it’s a convertible making its way from Tokyo to Yokohama, or its an 80s sports car, hugging the soft curves of the PCH north of Los Angeles; whichever ride you choose, NBD is the perfect soundtrack to help you achieve the motorized bliss you seek.
Pull over at the next lookout point, watch the waves, and let Environments wash over you. The light birdsong and lapping creek sounds fill the silence, amongst gentle pads and twinkling, clean and delayed guitars. The unobtrusive percussion sits quietly in the background, slowly keeping rhythm with the waves. The perfect score to a quiet afternoon overlooking the ocean.
Let’s head back to the city: Peaceful Groove is pure sunset. The dancing marimbas, the rolling percussion, the swirling synthesized sounds; the sun is setting on our escape from the city, and Peaceful Groove is guiding us back home.
Finally, we reach Zen Zone: the Shavasana, and hopefully, our place of Zen. The last rays of sun peak out behind the mountains in the distance, and we reach our sense of home. Zen Zone closes out this third EP in the Reality Refresh series, with its meditative melodies, and deep pads. Hopefully, a good place to find rest and that sense of ‘Refresh’ that we all seek.
And a few words about Reality Refresh 4:
After three EPs, we reach the end of Teen Daze’s Reality Refresh series; one last opportunity to hit refresh. With this last EP, we feel a sense of closure in every song, and a hopeful look into the uncertain future ahead of us.
So where do we find ourselves at the end of this journey? We start with Clear Path, with its dancing hand drums, sparkling synths and tasteful guitar lines, evoking the feeling of a quiet sunset from the sand. All things must pass.
Piano Exercise continues with the nocturnal feels. Though the sonic framework would suggest this might be a song intended for dancing, there’s a gentleness that makes its way through the arrangement. The filtered drums are pulsing, but with a softness; the piano played delicately, the sound of the pads hitting the strings still intact. Perfect for a sunset DJ set where actually watching the sun set is a higher priority than dancing.
Next we have one the more experimental pieces of the whole series: Amsterdam. Drums are replaced by common, almost mundane, sounds; the real world transformed into rhythms. Combined with deep, fuzzed out pads and a twinkling Rhodes lead, Amsterdam is an ode to a hazy night.
Finally, the sun begins to rise, and we’re left with the hopeful optimism that is built in to Oakmoss and Amber. A simple bass melody weaves the song through layers of soft guitars and brushed drums. A quiet, contemplative end to this collection of music, and an end to the Reality Refresh series.
A huge thank you to all of you who have supported/listened to these records. Hope you’re all in good spirits and good health!