As usual, I never know what to expect from a new Autechre record. The fact that the Designers Republic was back on board for artwork should have been something of a clue.
This is certainly the most consistent and approachable that they’ve been in years. The record is restrained and focused, and there’s a real emphasis on melody. They’ve jettisoned the hyper-abstraction and claustrophobic mixing of Untilted, and the disjointed chaos of Quaristice has been reined in. What’s left is an album that doesn’t convey the need to prove anything.
It’s all the more satisfying for that.
This is a patient record with a unified character. There’s a sense of space and breathing room that’s quite welcome. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Envane’s quieter moments and several tracks lack percussion entirely.
Before everyone starts screaming, “OMG ambient record! They remade Amber FTW,” bear in mind that this is a more mature animal. Continued...