Artist:
Chevel
Title:
Blurse
Label:
Stroboscopic Artefacts
Cat#:
SALP003 | SACD006
Release Date:
25th September 2015
Format:
vinyl, CD, & digital
Tracklist:
A1.
Comb
A2.
The Windrunner
A3.
Down and Out
B1.
Low Roof
B2.
Watery Drumming
B3.
Heimweh
C1.
Flippant Remark
C2.
Identity Switch
C3.
Loop #42
D1.
Stranded
D2.
Loop #33
D3.
A Form Of Love
Press Info:
Having already proven that he is capable of maintaining sonic quality and distinction over the course of a full original program, Chevel (a.k.a. Dario Tronchin) now makes his LP debut for Stroboscopic Artefacts. His other S.A. contributions (including the inaugural entry in the label’s singular Monad series, the “One Month Off” EP, his participation to the label’s five-year retrospective series) have already hinted that a more complete exposition of his unique inner world would surface, and here it is at last.
Over the course of his young career, Chevel has gained a mastery over several compositional elements: Polaroid-like slow melodic fades, sharp ricocheting beats, and simply making one’s headphones feel like a viable means of physical transportation. All of these elements come into play shortly after the needle hits the grooves of [Track A1], a euphoric introductory track marked by a spectral panning sequence and by beats chopped with a culinary expert’s sense of elegance. The drum kit sounds that feature throughout are used sparely but – either because of this or in spite of this – provide maximum impact upon the listener’s nervous system. The almost ‘far Eastern’ use of ‘block’ percussion on [Tracks A2 and B1] perfectly complements the synthetic sheen produced by fuzz distortion, radio static and bandpassfiltered sound bites, taking us to a terrain where a palette of decay effects provides just as much aesthetic inspiration as the presence of technological advancement.
There is more than enough humor and playfulness at work here, too, helping to once again banish the persistent stereotype of the modern techno producer as a sterile technician: the queasy melody line, sliced-and-diced whistling and gelatinous bounce of [Track D2] evoke a child’s wonderment at playtime more than they do the rarefied rigour of the laboratory. The less pulsating numbers like [Track C3] and the closing [Track D3] will engage the listener as well, being like short audio films of abiogenesis (i.e. spontaneous generation of life from ‘non-living’ material) taking place. These tracks are not so much ‘interludes’ or contemplative retreats from the action as they are enhancers of it, utilizing fluttering cycles of melody to engage in a kind of conversation with the more driving tracks. As to the ‘driving’ tracks themselves: the places that they drive the listener to are satisfyingly beyond customary experience.
In other words, despite Chevel’s keeping the sonic toolkit and overall atmosphere consistent from track to track, there is a rich variety in the emotional affectivity on display here. The net effect is like a dream state that leaves strong impressions even though one can’t pinpoint exactly why they are doing so (and which leaves one wanting to dive back into the dream pool and experience something similar again.) This is a talent that unifies the diverse constellation of Stroboscopic Artefacts producers, and one that makes Chevel in particular one to continue watching, listening to, and experiencing.
Listen:
Special:
“SNTWN Podcast 054”
Recommendations:
“Air Is Freedom” on Non Series
“Air Is Freedom (Remixes)” on Non Series
“Churches Schools And Guns” by Lucy on Stroboscopic Artefacts
self-titled album by Zeitgeber on Stroboscopic Artefacts
Buy CD:
Amazon
Juno
WOM
Phonica Records
Boomkat
Bleep
more soon
Buy Vinyl:
Juno
Amazon
deejay.de
HHV
Hardwax
WOM
Phonica Records
Boomkat
Bleep
more soon
Buy Digital:
Beatport Classic
JunoDownload
Boomkat
Bleep
iTunes
Amazon
Google Play
Hardwax
soon
Websites:
Chevel
Stroboscopic Artefacts
© Photo By Antonio Campanella
%
