The latest Shinichi Atobe album, the first on his label PLASTIC & SOUNDS. Once again he blends techno, dub, minimal, house and abstraction. Much like the first two EP's on his label, there's a quirkiness unlike any of his Demdike Stare albums. The way it has been compressed and panned, there is a real ghostly quality to this. The tracks progress and build on repetition but never really feel resolved, but continually knot until he calls time on them. I don't mean this is unpleasant, it's surreal and tense - intrepid but somewhat awkward - something always slightly off. If there's a correlation between his delicate sound and supposed reclusive reputation, I can't help to feel it's communicated here. The first time I tried listening to this on noisy transport it didn't work, but, and perhaps the only obvious hint being the title, it captures you when you're alone with it. Of course it's lush, there's some lovely cascading pads and catchy jaunty basslines, but really Atobe is a conjurer of mysterious artificial worlds, balancing wispy atmosphere with subtle raw acoustics, adding the slightest imperfections giving it bite and life. I really would love to know more about his sampling and mixing ideas. Another sublime album. Vivid and strange!
Comes in gatefold jacket.
LOCAL PICKUP AVAILABLE FROM THORNBURY, MELBOURNE. SHIPS AUSTRALIA AND WORLDWIDE.
