After the languorous drift of the recent collaboration with Daniel Blomquist, Aria Rostami has turned up the tempo and returned with a series of glichy, dancefloor friendly, sub-techno grooves that are as easy to consume curled up on the sofa as in an early morning warehouse club scenario.
What sets these tracks apart from the usual IDM type electronica is Aria’s willingness to back the beats with thoughtful and imaginative slow-moving soundscapes.
The opener “Timing And Structure”‘s subdued techno is riven with dislocating drum patterns while the sleepy background hum casts gentle shadows across the hasty rhythm. In fact, the opening four tracks are mid-tempo party starters that merge insistent but varied beats with rather lovely backdrops, at times smeary and at others pensive, but always working to counter the beat. There are bongos on the lively “Murumur” and with its pastoral setting, it really does invite a sit down and a ponder as much as a flail around the room. The tempos increase a little midway through Maramar and things become more stripped back. The hectic “Further And Further” barges into the minimalist and hugely repetitive drip of “Dawn”. They are driven and propulsive, and have the kind of beats that if there were a live drummer, it would be a thrill to watch. “Temperament And Trust” even has a hint of the tropical in the tones used, and its curious backdrop filled with rumbles and croaks adds a sense of adventure.The album ends with the beatless drift of “Going”, its shimmering beauty containing just enough of an edge to keep things interesting, different tones merging and diverging as the piece unravels. The lack of beats allows the listener to relax after the preceding action and makes for a fine finale. Maramar is an interesting selection that ticks lots of boxes and it is well worth checking out the lovely looking cassette.
-Mr Olivetti-
