New Environments & Rhythm Studies by Andrew Pekler

 

Andrew Pekler is one of those artists, I have always wondered and couldn't wait for when it comes to new releases. He started off experimenting with sampling, electronic jazz and glitch music but soon he felt this label and area is too narrow for his creativity. Throughout years he has been working with synthesis - modular, granular, you name it, guitars ( check his side project), field recording, Traversing across comparative and ethnographic studies, science in general, rich and lush musical landscapes swathes of which are covering different climatic zones, he is creating his own ecology of sound, in the utmost visionary way.

In a way his newest work is somewhat of a comeback to the themes he left us with at his two previous albums - I mean  Sounds From Phantom Islands and Tristes Tropiques. But obviously as a true trailblazer he doesn't repeat anything, and it's pretty difficult to say if ''New Environments & Rhythm Studies'' is a combination of both or continuation. I would say it sets some new frontiers.

It's a cluster of sonic passages that are subtly spiky as Araucaria tree, leathery surfaces of eucalyptus leaves or Eucryphia tree. 12 new tracks are nicely balanced and set together when it comes to dynamics - every second track is a rhythm study - short enough to have a lab inspection into what Andrew has concluded and nicely combined with the rest of the tracks. The whole narrative is never dull and gets the most out of processed field recordings and electronic synth glitch that sets both the tone of the ambience and the type of rhythm structures that Pekler is using. 

It's either howls of animals that set the tone or the sounds of insects that pulsate through modulations setting up the rhythm base.

This album is a work of very interesting mind. On one hand, you can immediately feel that it is studious and refers to some known aspects of anthropology and ethnomusicology, biology even. That is one layer - the other one is how known is molded into the Unknown - something that has a high range of sophistication - yes! but something more important - it brings out a rare piece of magic that is just beyond entertainment or some solid, hard-labored music study that could be just way to cold and artificial to engage some deeper sense of harmony and understanding. 

To me, it's not only rare quality but as in some aspects - just a one and only magical experience - something that stems from science but elevates it to a more humanely accessible level, hands on approach on answering the question; how to be and how to understand yourself in imaginary landscape that is not so imaginary.

Cant wait for the next chapter.

 

written and produced by Andrew Pekler, mastered by Giuseppe Ielasi, artwork by Morgan Cuinet, graphic design by Dmytro Nikolaienko.

copyright control, faitiche 2025

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