Combining acoustic instrumentation with electronics
and field recordings has become almost de-rigueur over
recent years, the majority of recordings ending up under
the rather ambiguous folktronica tag. Mountains may
feed their work with a wide range of sound sources and
incorporate acoustic and electronic instruments in many
ways, yet their approach takes them well beyond any
marketable tags into a far freer and more stimulating
space.
The project of Brooklyn-based Apestaartje co-founders
Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp, Mountains first
appeared last year with an enchanting four-track album
that combined various acoustic, electro-acoustic and
electronic elements into a series of delicate shimmering
pieces with strong evocative tones. With three of the
four tracks clocking well past the ten minute mark,
Mountains proudly engaged with the notion of space and
crafted their soundscapes to develop over long period
of times, often evoking the ambient work of Brian Eno
or the sonic experimentations of Fennesz.
With Sewn, Anderegg and Holtkamp apply this
theory to a series of short vignettes, creating a rather
different atmospheric setting, while essentially working
from similar sources. While compositions on their previous
effort had time to develop and take shape, here they
are set to impact at once. Yet, the pair retain the
essence of what defined their work by articulating each
track against the other seven to create a similarly
consistent and effective soundtrack. The impact on the
general mood of Sewn is not instantly obvious,
but this greater flexibility allows Mountains to negotiate
subtle changes in texture and ambience and create a
more versatile and composite piece of work.
Although this album predominantly evolves within a subdued
and somewhat autumnal register, echoing its cover, on
closer inspection, these earthy shades are actually
formed of far richer tones and textures. There is an
impressive luxuriance about some of these tracks. While
the twelve-minute epic Hundred Acre becomes
an obvious terrain for the pair to put once again their
soundscapes to the test, shorter compositions (Simmer,
Bay, Interlude or Sheets)
are equally as rich and evocative. Delicate ribbons
of acoustic guitars emerge from the dense clouds of
sounds that serve as backdrop to crystallise over fragile
melodic themes. Revealed in this way, the concentration
of field recordings and various sounds assembled by
Anderegg and Holtkamp comes to life and becomes amazingly
powerful.
With this second album, Mountains truly asserts their
musical ground and dare questioning their original scope,
dissecting soundscapes and atmospheres to re-assemble
them according totally new rules. Sewn exults
confidence and creativity, and prove a totally enchanting
and captivating piece of work.
4.8/5 |
