Burrows is a compilation of 2000-2008 material for the Philadelphian duo Loess (Clay Emerson and Ian Pullman) comprising of remixes and unreleased material. This is prime material, well wrought atmospheric construction, succinct precise beats and patterns. High production values blur the line of this group beyond audio entertainment to sonic sculpture. Loess could easily be writing for film as their skill is suited to discrete immersive emotional manipulation and a large canvas.
Opening the compilation is ‘Lull’, it’s brief reminiscence of ethno techno motifs, circa Yage/FSOL period, combined with elegant beatsmithing introduce their roots as IDM with rounded cultural awareness. Their reworking of Quench’s ‘Bud’ is a low down minimal tech dub high on the reverb, mellow bright tones, chamber echoed . Whereas when approaching ‘Cyanor’ by Ontayso they emphasise the staccato sound pitching back and forward the melodic phrasing in an insistent compelling manner weaving elements underneath as nuance Their take on Gridlocks ‘Chrometaphore’ is in their more signature IDM style of crisp beats and syth colours washing distorted sonic planes towards the audience.
In that it is a compilation a certain amount of discontinuity is expected to the form of the album, however there are no disappointments here for any IDM attuned ear. They are of the rare group whose succinctness in style and technical precision leads one to be expectant of such qualities in all sounds. Burrows contains so much beauty, talent and achievement that it could constitute a tyranny that immobolises the listener, holding thrall like and highly satiated.
Innerversitysound
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