A Separation Of Being JOYFULTALK

"[An] elegant example of contemporary minimalism… Owing much to the composer’s own ingenuity, A Separation Of Being was made by just one person and an acoustic sideman, and makes densely assembled music sound feather-light and, yes, joyful." – The Quietus

"A Separation of Being is a giant step forward, both in concept and execution... Utilizing a refreshingly organic approach and a unique sense of inspiration and bravado, Crocker's latest release under the JOYFULTALK name is full of passion, intensity, and unbridled joy." – PopMatters

"A conceptually striking, enjoyable record... Each effect is precisely placed, each transition obsessively traced. As reverberations of DIY instruments join the synchronous whirl, Crocker makes subtle sound design adjustments, repositioning sources, altering dynamics and slicing across the textural cloud." – The Wire

"A Separation Of Being is a colourful, sophisticated, tripartite composition rooted in his unique brand of minimalism. The album’s incredibly striking artwork is based on Crocker’s own system for visualized composition, 'The Planetary Music System' – a mesmerizing visual score of circular staves with handwritten melodies and vibrant greens, teals, lilacs, and yellows. Upon listening, those circular, insistent melodies come to life through the three distinct yet intertwined movements... The pacing of this album is pristinely executed; every note is essential and happens exactly when it should." – Musicworks

"[JOYFULTALK's previous two albums] MUUIXX and Plurality Trip were both hazy, fractured assemblages of arrhythmic patterns coaxed out of self-built instruments, informed by Krautrock, dub, techno, and new age. A Separation of Being retains those influences, but is overall a much more ambitious, cohesive undertaking, and sounds significantly brighter and grander... It's uplifting, ebullient music for the mind to dance to, and an absolute pleasure to behold." – AllMusic

"There’s an appealingly alien quality to JOYFULTALK’s third album, a sound that drifts beyond familiar reference points… ”Pixelated Skin” is a mutant percussion piece with a playful gait and lush embellishment from guesting violinist Jesse Zubot." – UNCUT

"A three-part suite which brings together Reich-ian Minimalism, Japanese ambience and gyrating strings to make one coalescing, coruscating and cracking whole. The strings make welcome appearances throughout the trio of tracks presented here; they make A Separation Of Being sparkle even more brightly than the sun on one of North America’s Great Lakes in July... Many rhythms, melodic arcs and twinkling folkways come together on this disc in a way in which Reich, Terry Riley and Laurie Spiegel would surely approve. This is one snazzy, scintillating and complex record to indulge in." – Norman Records

"One of the year’s most interesting electronic experiments to date." – The Vancouver Sun

"The music is thoroughly hypnotic, none more so than the final part which weaves Gordian knots of kaleidoscopic rhythm and pulsing music through one’s neural pathways, music one can easily get totally lost within. To that extent, A Separation of Being more than accomplishes its goal." – The Progressive Aspect