Fans of Sizz culture often say it evokes something musical. As I feel my own efforts are amateurish, I feel it’s up to others to define what Sizz could sound like.

One experimenter is Zachary Talis, a student at Rochester Institute of Technology, who has released a pair of EPs during the last four months that succeed at evoking a certain mood.

Zachary’s influences skew towards post-rock. He cites Boards of Canada, Jack Stauber, and Radiohead as influences. However, his penchant for sampling large crowds makes me feel like I’m witness to an aural spectacle. And this is the intent. There is a story here. Zachary says, “My music tends to center around imagined protagonists processing their emotions”.

Here’s six tracks by Zachary along with his own accompanying descriptions.

Drubb Machine by Zachary Talis

“This is a single from my new EP Drubb Machine. The EP represents my own personal exploration in moral panic: what causes it, why it persists, and how responsible citizens of the world can combat it. This tune in particular samples an old Lavender Scare propaganda film, Boys Beware.”

Drubb Machine by Zachary Talis

“Another single from Drubb Machine. Here, we get a peek into the minds of those perpetuating moral panic. We find a blinded colt lying helpless in a field, all legs contorted. Swirling and relentless cruelty spurs a marching tune.”

Old San Juan by Zachary Talis

“This track serves as the opener to my EP Old San Juan, which delves into my experience with panic attacks and anxiety. As an introduction to this EP’s motifs, the tune cradles perception in perpetual nonsense. I made a music video for Old San Juan, available online both with and without baked captions.”

“A sound collage opener from my EP Lorem Gypsum. I wanted to make an EP to help me study and relax… the process of making a sound collage is relaxing in and of itself. Music-making is probably my go-to hobby for releasing stress.”

“The stressful staticky soundtrack to my score attack game Bullet Glide (available to download for free!). Sizz, in many instances, makes incarnate an unnerving memory. In a similar way, the onslaught of faceless enemies in Bullet Glide morphs the player’s concentration into a claustrophobic presence.”

“I’m working on a full-length album called Slug that focuses on cave hidden on the side of a hill. Those who seek refuge in the cave experience moods in seasons. Autumn takes root, and the stressors of daily life are reduced to a clip show. There’s a good chance I’ll never finish this album, but there’s comfort to be found in perpetual projects.”

If you like Zachary’s music, be sure to follow him on Twitter.