Restocked - the exotic, alien tone of 'Valley Girl' marks the welcome return of Oakland, CA's Madalyn Merkey, whose previous release, 'Scent' was one of 2012's most spellbinding ambient/electro-acoustic charms. As a student of the famous Mills College, Merkey's work is understandably rooted in academic process and research, yet also inspired by the agriculture and rolling landscapes of the surrounding region. However, we'd be inclined to liken them to images of martian landscapes in '70s sci-fi than anything of this planet. Using computer generated tones and sequences, she spreads out a unique topography of phase-modulated triangle waveforms and sine tones serrated into small atolls or peaks and interspersed with human traces of her processed, siren-like vocals redolent of some vintage Hawaiian exotica. The result is a minimal but super rich and vibrant sound field, one constantly in motion and quivering with lush harmonics that keep the ear tracing its ambisonic comtrail trajectories. In other words, it's hugely recommended for drifting off, far and away.

" “Valley Girl” is an entirely different approach than what appeared on “Scent”. Less melodic with a far greater emphasis on the whole the album could be considered a concept album of sorts with lovely flourishes intermingled. “Valley Girl” is a thing of surprising beauty that reveals its many secrets ever so slowly."