It’s rare to hear religious samples used without obvious irony. LJ Kruzer, (a.k.a. Stephen Fiske) was born into organised religion, so who knows, but it does add to the moody melancholy. He begins composing at the piano, drawn by its emotional resonance, and perhaps that’s what lifts his work above a sea of noodly laptops. The piano doesn’t necessarily make it through to the finished track, but it is a constant presence. IDM beats are integral and don’t, as is so common, try to outshine the music. LJ’s world is a sleepy, atmospheric one, the slightly spartan aesthetic stopping short of lush. It’s got character, too; Parleyvoo, offers a jaunty melancholy, with it’s clip-clop percussion. A sermon on final track Apporte is slightly stretched and lethargic: I zone out at the best of times when people start talking about sin. But the music? I enjoyed all eight (plus one hidden) tracks.
Johnny Merkin |
