The latest release from Tropic Of Coldness is their first for KrysaliSound and builds on the slow motion soundscapes of 2018’s Framed Waves. Spread over four gently undulating pieces, Maps Of Reason unfolds at a pace that is beyond leisurely, and serves to lull the listener with its subtle washes and natural movement.
The smeared, slow groan of feedback introduces opening track “The Beauty And The Meaning”, but this feedback is about the lightest that you could possibly imagine, accompanied by pastoral drones that ebb and flow like the slowest of tides. The duo somehow manage to evoke that sense of beautiful solitude that goes beyond the need for company. This is sound that somehow fills any void and moves in such a way that it feels as though gravity has lost its effect on the world. The layered feedback is like someone calling from a distance, but too far away for you to turn and look as you and they continue inexorably on.
The solitary feel continues on “Maps Of Reason” with the slow trudge of footsteps. This is a track for making your way across a snowy landscape with all sounds having that soft, shrouded effect. It is barely above a whisper, and the guitar notes only stand out because everything around them is fading into shimmering textures. At times, they have the languid feel of some of the soundscapes David Sylvian produced on Gone To Earth, like you are stranded on a beach somewhere, but don’t really mind because you are too busy watching the gradual movement of grains of sand beneath your feet as water washes over them. The duo inject a sense of movement into “Diving For Pearls”, like a slow rowing motion that is taking you across still blue water under cloudless blue skies. The sound of the oars in the water disguises further movement that adds a little tension, but it is all rather relative. Tension here is like being awoken by someone stroking you with a feather. There is an aquamarine limbo below you that is experiencing the faintest of turmoil before coming to a meandering close.Once again, David and Giovanni have produced something timeless and exquisite. It is a prefect lullaby, but also perfect for time spent alone outdoors. You can share it if you want to — but you may not want to.
-Mr Olivetti-
