Album Review: The Range – “Potential”

By: Tyler Nyquvest –

It has become all too common to see ideas, stories and songs being reproduced and resold to audiences begging to eat them up. However, what has become more indicative of talent is the ability to borrow from a past creative work and improve upon it.

James Hinton (aka The Range) might be wise to this—maybe that’s why his music is made mostly from distant chimes of Internet nostalgia. Or perhaps it’s just because that’s what he is good at. Regardless, it would be stupid to try and bash this electronic artist for his musical style as, although he might borrow from other work, this same quality makes him distinctly…himself.

Hinton returns with his third studio album, Potential, which is crafted entirely from samples from YouTube artists from around the world. And while this is not a new technique of his, Hinton’s thematic direction certainly stands out when pinned against past work.

The album’s theme echoes persistence amidst missing reassurance. And while Hinton remains fairly under the radar three albums in, Hinton proclaims the commitment to his craft in the first song “Regular,” by using a vocal sample that states, “right now, I don’t have a backup plan for if I don’t make it”, which serves as an endearing opener to this unconventional artist’s atypical album.

The atmospheric melodies on Potential twinkle and flash like gemstones in a dark, damp cave. What’s noted is there must be darkness for parts to sparkle. Certain areas of the album are a little too dark, however, every now and then things glitter. “Superimpose” is one of these moments, starting in simmering, moody darkness and pivoting into a more upbeat, feel good track. The song is certainly one of the standouts of the album and it is easily the shortest, leaving you wanting more.

Stand-out track “1804” is another instance where the light shines, almost blindingly at this point. The song is layered perfectly, with soft percussion, eloquent piano additions, and an infectious vocal sample that paints a tropical setting. It may have been said before but tunes like this imagine the listener splashing through glass water mirrored in blue skies.

In the end, while it does hit some high notes, Potential, much like that cave, is almost too dark in places. Part of you wishes someone would shine a little light so you could see what it is you’re looking at. However, mystery and sparsity are at the core of this albums sound. Unfortunately, the chaotic mash of samples can get be slightly overstimulating in parts. At a time when minimalism is at its height, this work can come off pretty choppy. A solid effort from The Range, however, he might need to go a little further out of his providence cave and lighten up.

Essential Track: “Superimpose”, “1804”