Drift. – Symbiosis

Tapete

Symbiosis is Nathalie Bruno‘s first solo album-length outing as Drift.. After membership of Leave The Planet and Phosphor, and her Black Devotion and Genderland EPs, Nathalie decided to lock herself away and search within to complete a collection of tracks that would hold together as an album. it is fair to say that on the strength of Symbiosis, she has succeeded in that plan.

The opening track takes a series of disparate influences and manages to concoct something entirely of its own merit; a pastoral piano merges with bass while post-punk guitars graze the umbra of an Earth-like cymbal shudder. Its jazz lullaby sensibility is just the icing on the cake. While it is mainly synth based, this album and can be a little beaty in places as in the body music tinged “Human”, with its soulless vocals and industrial vibe; whereas the euphoria of the synths on “Atomic Soldier” hide a gentle romanticism that brings to mind Julee Cruise.

It isn’t all synths though, and the heavy clanging guitar of “In Orbit” brings to mind an old Cure outtake. The slow drip of caverns or muffled footsteps give the song a creepy soundscape, with little sonic details making it really atmospheric. The fact that the album ranges from style to style and attempts different atmospheres is very satisfying, and Nathalie is also great at varying the vocal style to complement each piece. The repetitive creep of “Visualise The Invisible” feels dour in comparison to what came before, but the double-tracked vocals and sunny bass draw it upwards, caressing blue sky on its way.

The press release mentions Chris and Cosey as an influence and that can only be a good thing; it perhaps gives you an idea of what to expect from some of the synth experiments. “Function”, with its metallic spoken words and dripping synths, feels like an homage to D.A.F. and the simple motorik rhythm of “Masquerade II” points towards the new German sound of the 1970s. In other places, I was pleasantly reminded of Client on “Raytheon’s Radar”, with its cool, detached vocal and affecting middle eight sweep; but it was the final track “A.V.T.T.C.” that leads into pastures new in a slow soundscape building over a meandering rhythm with walls of electronic noise over a delicate bass pattern. It felt unexpected; but in truth, nothing is really unexpected here. It is another curveball on a lovingly produced album full of personal ideas and a zest for adventure. Symbiosis is great.

-Mr Olivetti-