Core Memory releases new EP ‘Array’

Based between the East and West coasts of the USA, Core Memory is a music project formed by brothers McKinley and Harrison Foster who together craft a multimedia output that pairs intricate electronic soundscapes with immersive visuals to create a thrilling sensory experience. Born from the unique talents of each sibling, Core Memory stands at the crossroads of music, technology and personal exploration.

While McKinley Foster, based in New York City, composes the layered instrumental music, his brother Harrison Foster, stationed in Los Angeles, uses his expertise in lighting design to create visuals that shift in real time with the music. They draw inspiration from electronic pioneers like Four Tet and Caribou, but their sound stretches far beyond these influences. Core Memory’s music is an amalgamation of lo-fi elements, synth-driven textures and slick guitar work, blended to offer a deeply enveloping listening experience.

Their live shows are an intriguing aspect of the project, where Harrison’s adaptive visual technology interacts with McKinley’s compositions. The result is a unique and groundbreaking concert that compels the audience to reflect on one central question: “What memories made you who you are?”

Capturing their sound in the studio, in 2021 they unveiled their innovative creative vision with the debut single “Night Walk?” which was quickly followed up by three tracks in the build up to their first full-length record, Align. This album revolved around themes such as the pursuit of balance and finding peace in a world that had been upended by the pandemic, offering a reflection on staying grounded amid chaos.

Since then, they’ve released a film score for The Mount as well as two singles ahead of their brand new debut EP titled Array. The five-track EP trips even further into the pair’s fusion of acoustic instruments and electronic components, frequently incorporating strings and other organic sounds to maintain a sense of human connection in their otherwise synthetic universe.

Opened by “Firefly Beat,” deep bass textures softly rumble as dashes of leads and the processed twang of guitar plucks are met with the gentle rattle of percussive shots. As the arrangement tumbles into place, the delicate contrast of crisp electronic elements and bright organic tones shines with elegant violin lines played by Sarah Fazendin, serving up an experimental and truly alluring, psych-tinged instrumental jam.

Lead single “Sleepy Hollow” follows with the delicate flutter of clean guitar tones as warm bass notes flow into a laid back beat as lush orchestral elements swell to craft a mesmeric and cinematic soundscape. “Annularity” subtly raises the energy with the smooth pulse of drums and airy instrumental flourishes of guitar and strings performed by Gioia Gedicks combine to present a charming piece that voyages through a shifting arrangement tinged with buzzy synth touches.

“thereisnowhereyoudontbelong” starts with lively guitar lines backed by the strike of a steady beat as the energy rises and falls with moments of pattering percussive elements and atmospheric sonic textures wrapping around the ever-present guitar. Closing the EP with previously released single “Opaque,” bold rhythms punch as spacey instrumentation swirls, creating a hypnotic musical fabric that bends from whimsical moments of playful acoustic guitar to epic stacks of synths to deliver a stellar finale to this sensational new EP from a visionary act.

Listen to Array below