If Architecture Effects is not Roman Belousov’s
first album, it is his first to benefit of a proper
release. Born in a small town near Moscow, Belousov
grew up listening to disco and break dance, but he developed
an interest for electronic music after hearing Depeche
Mode in the mid eighties. It is through his encounter
with the work of Cosmic Baby, Orbital, Aphex
Twin and Autechre
thought that he progressively started to make music,
though, and this new album gives the opportunity to
experience the work of this young talent from Russia.
Working with vintage Russian analogue synthesisers,
partly because he couldn’t afford modern ones,
he started recording, eventually releasing his first
album, Biogenes Resources, on Russian label
ArT-Tek back in 1997, followed two years later by Melodies
Of Childhood For Advanced Imagination, released
through Alabama, USA-based Pichcadet Records. Belousov
has also published a number of EPs, and his music has
been featured on countless compilations. Naming the
likes of Arovane, Gimmik, Plod and Phonem as his main
influences, it is no surprise to see Belousov focusing
on the melodic aspect of his music. Carving evocative
melodies within dreamy sound structures, he seems to
work on a recurring theme all the way through. Yet,
each track has a pretty unique feel as it grows and
develops over time. Some might regret the slight uniformity
of sound, but it actually acts in favour of these compositions,
as the man builds the mood over the length of this album.
With subtle touches, Belousov applies fascinating textures,
a process made easier with the use of analogue synths,
as to gently outline the characteristics of each track.
His earlier work sometimes appeared patchy and lacked
of focal point, but this is fortunately not the case
here. Clocking at just over forty-five minutes, Architecture
Effects manages to retain the atmospheric substance
of these compositions all the way through. Pinnacles,
Porticus Of Grotta and Medieval Ruins
in particular are strikingly organic, with the later
making interesting use of abrasive noises. Elsewhere,
on the more subdued Lucarne or Gothic Vimperg,
Belousov appears to contemplate his work and pause,
but only to recharge his batteries.
With this album, Roman Belousov shows a much more mature
approach to his work than with his previous releases
and is set to establish the Novel 23 imprint alongside
that of Arovane and Gimmik. At times close to the sonic
realm of Plaid, Architecture
Effects establishes interesting bridges between
the British duo and the emotional basis of bands such
as Isan or Múm.
3.9/5 |
