After a few quiet months on the Statra front, the New
York label is being revived with the release of a couple
of 12” and the first album by New Zealand's Rotor+.
Not totally unknown down under, the mind behind Rotor+
has released a few 12” under different identities, as
well as a trance-inspired album under his Epsilon-Blue
alter ego. Rotor+ is an altogether complete different
project.
Aileron is inspired by the diverse landscapes
of Rotor+’s native New Zealand. Built around three tracks
between fifteen and twenty-two minutes long, and divided
into fourteen different parts, the album explores the
darkest electronica, by means of multiple concentric
patterns, evoking in turn Biosphere,
Autechre or contemporary
classical music. The first impression is one of total
quietude as Beginning – Something To Do While Driving
evolves almost imperceptibly in and out of surprisingly
familiar territories, the different sections of the
track leaving the previous one behind, sometimes to
the favour of a deliberate break. However, rarely a
clear cut appears, and the song progresses gently. Middle
– Thinking Of Changing The Rectangle To A Less Regular
Shape kicks in with a more abrupt beat, as Rotor+
studies slightly more abrasive sounds. The presence
of a clear piano adds to the sense of humanity already
experienced in Beginning. 174° 45.7’
E 36° 51.5 S and Box +s+ SH1 3am Rm 4
accentuate the pace a little, building up slowly on
clicks and earthy melodies, similar to the ones heard
on Black Dog’s Bytes.
The fragmentation of this second track is actually more
obvious, as the segments are somehow detached from each
other. Aileron (N2F1JF), which opens End
– Mapping The World, and Background Environmental
Sounds retreat into glacial lands, with no proper
movement to be clearly identified. Reel To Reel
and Religious Society Of Friends slowly bring
the album back to life with an ultimate injection of
organic beats. To prolong the experience, Aileron includes
two video tracks, and comes in a 32-page bound hardcover
book.
Aileron is a strangely fascinating record,
as it moves peacefully within electronic soundscapes.
Rotor+ proves to be one of the most interesting acts
to emerge for some time, and this first album is absolutely
unforgettable.
5/5 |
