Scheduled to be released on August 7th, one day before Roland 808’s 40 anniversary, Reason vs Impulse is a 3 1/2 minute celebratory tribute to this classic drum machine. The recording provides a passage to the captivating explorations into the 808's robotic and spacey sounds. And this time, it is to accompany the highly synthesized and sometimes distorted melodies.
Exemplifying Taro (Roland's founder) and his philosophy in simplicity, the track’s schematic approach in structure and instrumentation is intentional. Using the drum machine in its purest form allows Passwar D to focus on applying multi-dimensional dynamics to the synth melody lines. First, the drum beats kick off the track. Then, the melodic sounding of the pipe organ takes the center stage. The melodic line morphs itself throughout the track until the end when the steadfast beats of 808 re-emerge from the background and end the piece with its distinctive sound.
Reasons vs Impulse is Passwar D's attempt to apply the foundation of simplicity in his music-making. It is about leveraging systematic reasoning to guide humanistically impulsive tendencies. Ikutaro Kakehashi, aka Taro, had the vision to create electronic musical instruments that were easy and simple to use. And, he built one of the best companies in the world for that. Passwar D, deeply inspired by Taro's disciplines, applied his principle in simplicity to his usage of 808 drum machine. Yet at the same time, he managed to successfully unleash his very strong inclination toward human impulsiveness.
"I wanted to strike a balance. I want to use this drum machine the way it is without embellishments. Then, I want something really out there. Something very impulsive. No reason. No logic. Purely visceral. So, there came the idea of pairing church organ with Roland 808".
Passwar D, 2020