seven

with a number of releases under his belt, this one is the first on mikael stavöstrand’s own mitek label (somehow I doubt it has any connection with russian art movement of the same name :), the label that is dedicated to releasing and promoting scandinavian experimental electronica artists.

for those of you that might not be as familiar with the genre, mikael stavöstrand appeared on clicks+cuts compilation series (this is where I first notice him). on this release, his peculiar brand of electronic music seems to escape formulaic approach of usual glitch electronica, using elements of dubby techno and warm sonic textures together with usual pops, clicks, whirrs, that at times sound rather acoustic, as opposed to expected cold digital minimalism.

at times his material gets a little too monotonous (and mostly during rhythmic techno parts), but I suppose it only enhances the atmosphere. the selling point for me is unusual warmth of his music, that contrasts nicely precise mechanized noises. I like his textures where small acoustic, organic noises swarm around, forming quite complex arrangements, sprayed with little splintery sounds, while background is built with long atonal strings.

overall, this album is considerably “lighter” than most of the work in the genre, and it has a certain ambience, this fuzzy, warm, very “living” feel that plays nicely with all the digital aspects of the album. my favorite tracks on the album are quieter, slower pieces that at times remind me of vladislav delay’s work.