Beach Sloth

Pleq / Hiroki Sasajima / Spheruleus - Time & Language 7.9

                Sometimes timing is everything. I listened to Time & Language on loop for a long time. As it played over and over again, I discovered new, tiny details. The sound swept over me and helped calm me. I’ve written about all three of these musicians before, but I hadn’t heard collaboration between the three until now. For this particular project, the sum is greater than the whole of its parts. That is very good indeed. 

                Hiroki’s previous work dealt with a massive structure, with slow changes, and I sense that with this work. It also is complimented nicely by Spheruleus’s attention to small details, such as the end piece’s gentle guitar string plucks. Pleq is responsible for the large, hazy melodies present throughout the album, particularly in the warm beginning, where the melody lies underneath layers of fuzzy ambience. 

                I like the use of field recordings in these four pieces. Hearing birds, insects, slow walking through the forest, gives the already enormous sound some context. The field recordings act as a complement to the pieces, showing their inspiration. For me the third piece (also the longest) is the most satisfying example of this, with the slowest buildup and most subtle changes. At times the slight variations are nearly imperceptible, with the piece moving at a comfortable, glacial pace. 

                This is a good album for winter. It reminds me life and re-birth is not far away. Listen to it quietly, late at night, with little distractions. Get lost in it.

Pleq/Lauki – The Gravity Lens 7.5

                I’ve heard Pleq in many different formats. This one, “The Gravity Lens” may be one of my personal favorites from him. Usually Pleq deals with classical in a rather playful manner, oftentimes through glitching, minor effects, and so forth. On “The Gravity Lens” Pleq and Lauki create an environment which teems with life and sounds like nothing else Pleq’s done before. 

                Twenty minutes float by in nebulous clouds of drone. Different elements of drone can be explored, from classically based (Pleq’s forte) to near-noise assault. Some movements get a bit aggressive, surprisingly so, particularly around the halfway mark. I’ve never actually heard any Pleq-related project get this intense, but I welcome it. Perhaps it is Lauki (his partner in crime) who is responsible for this harsher sound. Even at the most intense level Pleq’s classical construction lingers underneath, giving the section a particularly powerful feel. 

                Classical elements do appear within the piece, over and over again. Rather than being the focus point they are merely a structure for the piece as a whole. Piano comes into view occasionally to offer some respite from the heavier sounds. I think the drones and classical structure work well together. Don’t think Stars of the Lid think more along the lines of Tim Hecker’s gauzy sounds. 

                “The Gravity Lens” did everything a good drone record should do: it has structure, builds, and varying levels of intensity. Pleq and Lauki create quite an experience.

:papercutz & Pleq – Neptunian Moons

               Both of these musicians are new to me. :papercutz hails from Portugal and have been heralded as a ‘band to watch’ in the UK. Pleq is a Polish artist (Bartosz Dziadosz) who deals with drone, glitch, and modern classical. For this track (based off Neptune’s Moon noise) they merged their talents quite well, making a lovely track dedicated to the universe. This song will be alongside a few other artists, some of whom are new to me (Summer Heart, Culture Voyage) and some I’m more familiar with, particularly (Teeel, Moths). The compilation is called “Celestial Summer” and will be out for summer star gazing. 

                It is a rather large, nebulous affair, perfect for its galactic aspirations. Little pieces come together to create a snapping rhythm. Eventually something resembling a beat forms as the sound morphs into near-melody. While I listen to this, I remember that electronic and shoegaze have a great deal in common. Though with Neptune Moons, you may want to look at the sky and not simply at your feet. Neptunian Moons reminds you of the massiveness of space and even it cannot accurately capture how tremendous it truly is. 

                Actually, I’m not certain when the compilation comes out this summer. Personally, I’d like it to be soon. Lately Pluto has been acting depressed since its demotion and could really use a song. At least Neptune’s going to get a little less blue after this song.