Eamon Harkin’s The Place Where We Live is nothing short of a masterclass in electronic music. The New York-based artist has delivered an album that feels instantly familiar yet entirely unique, blending a range of influences into a seamless, infectious journey.
The experience begins with Night Truths, the album’s longest cut at just over seven minutes. It’s a hypnotic opener, pairing mesmerizing saw-wave acid synths with a spiralling bassline and crisp, Roland-style percussion. It is a confident start that sets a high bar for the rest of the record.
This Opera follows, shifting into a much more shadowy space. The tone drops, transporting the listener to a dark dancefloor lit only by occasional strobe flashes. A glistening top end floats effortlessly over a deep, breathing bassline, creating a perfect sense of club tension.
The atmosphere shifts again with the ambient-leaning Wild Atlantic. True to its name, the track evokes the power of the ocean with huge, undulating waves of sub-bass and majestic, swelling pads that dominate the mid-range. It provides a grand, cinematic moment before we move back toward the groove.
A solid house kick and melodic bassline introduce Dreamer’s Disease, which takes on a more ethereal quality. Beautiful string pads and shimmering synths create a light, airy feel that offers a brief moment of calm.
That tranquillity doesn't last long, however, as the raw acid of Rants & Raves arrives to pull us back down to earth. With sharp 303 shots and a deliberate, driving kick, it is a track designed for movement.
Promises are Sweet marks the midpoint of the album and is a clear choice for lifting the energy of a set. Dynamic drum programming and disco-influenced synths give the track a genuine sense of euphoria.
This leads into the light-hearted Kinship, where Harkin’s keys glitter over a bassline that starts subtly before evolving into a magnificently rough-edged groove. It’s the kind of production that would work perfectly as the sun comes up at the end of a night spent dancing.
The tempo drops for the robotic Mother, a stripped-back production that leans into the synth-pop aesthetics of the 80s and early 90s. It carries a certain rhythmic swagger that brings to mind the attitude of Buffalo Stance.
Things then take a more experimental turn with Fifty, where discordant synth stabs and breathy, distorted vocals dance around an echoey acid motif.
The title track, The Place Where We Live, returns to a more melodic, rave-inspired style with forthright string stabs that build toward a powerful crescendo.
Finally, December Dawn offers a moment of quiet reflection. It feels like the walk home after the club—a peaceful, fitting end to a remarkable journey.
This is a fantastic LP that deserves a spot in any serious collection. You can find it now over at Bandcamp.