The recording moniker of the veteran artist and Saskatoon, Canada resident Peter Grier, Open Window finds Grier penning an experimental, electronic- and vocal-fueled album that relies on sampling his own improvisational records.

The density and electronic manipulation of “Baseline” leads with distant vocals and playful beats that align with sort of a bizarre post-punk exploration that seems like it might be a blurry New Order song gone the backmasking route.

“Hidden World” then follows with a calmer pace, and in just two minutes mesmerizes us with its thick and atmospheric flowing that’s charmingly cinematic. “Noway” then follows with what almost seem like field recordings unfolding with soft singing amid the glitchy-meets-noisy backdrop.

The back half leads with the warm and harmonic “Slabmaster,” which has the vocals altered for effect in a very bare climate that’s richly executed. “Half Epiphany” follows and emits waves of ambience that nearly seem spiritual and radiate New Age-like, soothing capabilities via an atypical intimacy. “Two Brakes,” the longest track, is the final selection, where hypnotic and repetitious rhythm swirls with an infectious energy that you can’t fail to be enamored with.

Grier has a lengthy resume that includes performances at Sounds Like Audio festive after parties, LUGO fundraiser at the Remai and several events associated with PAVED arts and Amigo Cantina, among many others, plus releases on the Panospria and Permanent Touch labels.

These six tracks were written and recorded from 2016-2019 and sure are unconventional in all the best ways. They are also very much in tune with today’s bedroom pop and exploratory indie-rock subgenres. The album is available physically on a cassette, so those of you with an affinity for retro technology will be as happy as me to hear that.

Rating: B+

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