The label describes this tape as "dismal and cold electronics for broken lives", and I guess some people might hear it that way. However, I found this tape of low-fi electronics to be quite warm and soothing (I'll admit that my tastes can be little skewed). Lay is working within the framework of contemporary drone music, building upon single sustained keyboard chords for each side of this cassette. He doesn't go too far out from the established norms of the current trends in the genre, but he does come up with a very satisfying tape that is able to present his own voice in the sea of drone.

The A side of "Worm Terrain" is the most satisfying piece in my opinion. It has just the right amount of movement to keep things engaging while still presenting itself as a wall of sound. There are lots of subtle textural shifts and melodic interludes that are just barely audible under the sheets of static and buzz. These little details really work their way into the subconscious of the listener- I found myself being drawn deeper into the sound world of Lay when I noticed these subtleties, like slowly being pulled under water. Most of the sounds are distorted, without feeling overtly harsh. Lay is engaging the listener rather than attacking them.

The B side is a similar affair- still quite interesting, but just not as powerful as the opening piece. It's an intriguing tape overall, lying somewhere between harsh noise walls, and pure drone. While Lay might not be charting too much new territory, he is still an artist that is definitely worth some attention. Also, I have to mention the crazy drawings that Josh has created for the packaging- weird demon-snake creatures that wouldn't be out of place in the binder of a high school D&D player. They give the tape a half fun/half creepy vibe that I appreciate. 8/10 -- Charles Franklin (12 August, 2009)