Curatorial excellence on Anjunadeep‘s part is evident in their newest signee, boerd. The James Grant-run imprint isn’t afraid to travel outside its usual deep and progressive confines every so often, and in this case has stumbled upon a promising ambient talent.

Boerd’s debut EP on the label, Static, is intellectual and nuanced, playing around with spacey elements, white noise, and atmospheric soundscapes to create complexity sans a rhythmic crutch. Such a feat is easy for the Swedish newcomer, who draws extensive experience from his time as a double bassist for various prolific orchestras.

“Lid,” for example, opens Static on a warm note, with crackles lining the background of a guitar-laden soundscape whose chords gently caress the ears. This sentiment persists throughout the EP, continuing on into a smooth, piano and vocal-assisted “Fragment II” and a dissonant, string-filled “Void.” Time is skewed without a constant metronome, making these three tracks feel like they fly by.

Like “Fragment II,” “Diorama” involves heightened lower frequencies and subtle percussion, pairing together with warm background accents and jubilant synths to create a feeling of elation. “Blind” is the most energized track on Static, employing guitar riffs, powerful verses, and hollow vocal edits into a nostalgic, laid-back listen.

“Ebb” closes Static with an homage to classical, Medieval sounds. A choir hums out somber melodies, with the mood further amplified by slight hints of oregon, and moving piano and synth progressions. Though minimal, the piece has a profound effect.

It’s safe to say boerd’s time in the electrosphere spearheading a new ambient movement will be one to watch.

 

 

Pick up a copy of ‘Static’ here

Tags: Ambient, anjunadeep, boerd, electronica, static

Categories: Music