When does "minimal" become too simple?

[Covant]

With the rising popularity of minimalistic, atmospheric tracks, I'd like to ask for your opinions on where you draw the line between simplicity as an artistic choice and a track just being lazy and over simplistic. Some of my favorite songs use silence as a way to build tension and atmosphere. One of the best examples I can think of for this is "Let Me Out" by Mr Fiji Wiji. His sound design is incredible and the song has amazing atmosphere. But some tracks are just plain sloppy and lacking effort. What are your thoughts?

[dsprainman]

Back in 2012

[_ronzlo_]

When there's no vibe.

[OGLemon]

When an artist removes the elements that make a track interesting and just leaves the generic bits.

[NinjaEdit]

When there's a lack of syncopation.

[topmo3]

rising popularity of such tracks? what do u base this on?


imo u can have as much or as little to a track as u want, there just has to be groove. u can have groove with a kick and a 909 OH

[rickyarbino]

THERES NO ABSOLUTES TO THIS KIND FO THING IMO. BACK IN THE DAY MANS LIKE SATIE AND DEBUSSY ONLY USED PIANOS.

[topmo3]

but r da compositions minmimal

[rickyarbino]

IS THAT A SERIOUS QUESTION?

[m8son666]

satie's brostep imo

[rickyarbino]

DON'T SEE WHY BROSTEP CAN'T BE MINIMAL TBH.

[CreamLord]

"It's deep, it's Bro, it's minimal, this is the sound"

[rickyarbino]

DIDN'T REALISE WE WERE BEING SNOBS TBH. THOUGHT WE WERE ACTUALLY TALKING MUSIC TBH.

[Func]

Welcome To DSF

[rickyarbino]

Shut up.

[jrkhnds]

[Tekki]

I'd say (for what it's worth) that the two aren't synonymous (i.e simple doesn't = minimal, and vice versa), and that 'simple' doesn't have to be construed negatively. Pinch's stuff is quite minimal however it is far from simple, in that the very few elements are arranged in often complex ways e.g evolving percussive arrangements, discrete blending of pads, counterpoint bass, extended kick drum patterns. Loefah's early stuff keep the pulse of the track whilst using very few elements. I'd say if the track loses momentum or cohesiveness, or there isn't a direction/development within the track there may be something missing. Naturally, the opposite of this is also true: too many conflicting elements will detract attention from one another, leaving the tack feeling cluttered or stumbling. Pinch definitely hits the nail:

“Minimal excellence is one of the hardest things to achieve in music-making as it requires all the sonic ingredients to be nothing less than perfect....."

Perfect then is just enough to create the right pulse/emotion/space/whatever, and used with precision and restraint. (?)

[Tekki]

When there's no vibe.

this

[fiveone]

when the atmospherics aren't worked on well enough, the track just literally becomes beats and bass.

loefah - woman, for instance, is beats and bass. but the sampling gives the track its vibe and meaning. probably didn't put my point across in the best words but i'm sure some of you know what i'm on about

[rickyarbino]

That being there doesn't really make a track better though. Tons of tunes with that kind of stuff that sound thin and pathetic imo.

And there's good stuff out there that's just beats and bass imo.