The Answer Is In The Beat

Saajtak: Hectic EP (self-released, 2018)

July 1, 2018 at 10:34 pm | Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment

Detroit’s Saajtak follow up their excellent debut EP with two jazzy avant-pop songs. “Hectic” starts out with a steadily paced rhythm, but gradually becomes emotionally overwhelming, with layers of soaring vocals, rapidly fluttering waves of synth which sound like fast-forwarding tapes, and clattering metallic percussion. Yet while a lot is going on, and the lyrics describe emotional turbulence, there’s still an even, composed flow to it. “If You Ask” is along similar lines, with yearning rounds of vocals and a rhythm which steadily builds into a sort of choppy prog-rock pattern, with a heavy bass guitar growl offset by lighter, more crystalline keyboards. Both songs are mini-epics, and they’re both accessible entry points into the fascinating, ever-evolving world of Saajtak.

Michael Beharie & Teddy Rankin-Parker: A Heart From Your Shadow (Mondoj, 2018)

July 1, 2018 at 3:54 pm | Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment

The first collaborative album by Michael Beharie (of Zs) and cellist Teddy Rankin-Parker is a dense yet concise expression of fear, astonishment, abject terror, and a bit of offbeat humor. None of the tracks sound alike. There’s intense sound design and glitching alongside furious cello bowing during standout “Paper Tiger”, which ends up unexpectedly calm. The intro track begins nakedly calm before plunging into sheer panic, with police sirens wailing through pitch-black cello noise. The acoustic, percussive “So Much Trash” ends with a computer voice imitating an old woman, thanking someone for cleaning up the trash in her yard. “Gully” is all clanking percussion, recalling Konono No. 1 as much as the rhythm track from one of M.I.A.’s early singles. The police sirens return during “Smooth Face”, surrounded by swooping strings and percussive splatter. “Roses” is the album’s intense centerpiece, surrounding spiraling prog-rock/Berlin school melodies with swarms of crushing distortion. “Icon” is even harsher and more hellbound, especially considering the two calmer interludes surrounding it. Excellent album.

Pieter Nooten: Stem (Rocket Girl, 2018)

July 1, 2018 at 3:04 pm | Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment

Former Xymox member Pieter Nooten’s latest work is a lush, organic orchestral ambient song cycle, filled with solemn pianos, sparkling music box-like melodies, and billowing tone clouds. It sounds bright and clear rather than hazy, however, and the melodies are never obscured. It’s a major step up from the vocal-based works he was releasing earlier in the decade; this material is much more affecting. “Freefall” adds some chilly dub-techno echo, which is a nice touch. He slowly tiptoes toward percussive rhythms on “Vari-Slowed”, and “I Felt” ends the album with some soft yet intricate techno beats, and it sounds utterly joyous and free.