Album Review: Tycho – Infinite Health

Infinite Health, the seventh studio album by Tycho, is slated to come out on August 30 via Mom + Pop records. The music is downtempo, ambient, with just enough pulse to make one get up and dance. Tycho is the music project of San Francisco songwriter and producer Scott Hansen, since its inception in 2001. 

The project has received many nods of recognition from the industry. Tycho received Grammy nominations for best Dance/Electronic album for Epoch in 2017, as well as Weather in 2020. The project has gained hipster credibility with social cachet as the background music for Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The music itself is peaceful, gentle, and is often free of lyrics, making it perfect for chilling.

The project features Zac Brown on guitar, Rory O’Connor on kit, and this new album has been co-produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. Hansen says this new album marks the “third era” for Tycho.

“The goal for me was to get back to the way I had been producing music in the early 2000s, that led up to [2011’s] Dive, a more electronic production style, focusing on breaks, drums and rhythmic elements. Then, using that as the foundation, and having all the instrumentation follow that lead, as opposed to the other way around.”

– Hansen

The album opens up with “Consciousness Felt” which starts with a lively energy and percussive feel. It moves into “Phantom”, which Hansen has declared his favorite track since he spent more time on it than any other. The song “Devices” was originally meant for a film soundtrack, which Hansen says was meant to be an homage to trance music. It has the feel of downtown Sacramento in the late nineties.

“DX Odyssey” also shares a vibe of 90s downtempo, but infuses some 70s funk elements. “Totem” plays into the frencher side of things with elements that give a nod to French House ala Daft Punk and Justice. “Epilogue” (a nod to their debut album Past is Prologue) leaves the door open for future sounds as Tycho enters this new era of musical stylings.

On the whole, Infinite Health is a beautiful and sonically cohesive gift to the world. We here at Indy Review feel fortunate to have gotten the sneak peak. Pre-save the album, which comes out tomorrow, here. Listen to the pre-released tracks here.