The output of the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native
Chris d'Eon provoked comparisons and references to vintage new age and contemporary experimental electronic artists, '80s mainstream pop, throwback house, and left-of-center R&B. The study of Arabic, Iranian, and Turkish music also informed his releases. A producer and singer who based himself in Montreal, Quebec,
d'Eon released some cassettes, including the hour-long Wa Al-'Asr and a four-song set of
Swans covers, prior to making his
Hippos in Tanks debut with
Palinopsia (2010). He and
Grimes then shared Darkbloom (2011), a split release shared between
Hippos in Tanks and Arbutus. On
LP (2012), an unapologetically sprawling release,
d'Eon indulged in all his whims to create a modern "What if?" concept album regarding the angel Gabriel. ~ Andy Kellman