If you like your IDM/electronica on the more experimental edge, and free to roam across any borders into other musical domains then this release is definitely for you.
No lack of variety of sounds and music styles
So the new album by Victor Popescu got unleashed into the world and along with it his new project name Mathmatrix. I was immediately interested in what I heard from the opening bars of the first track, and then totally grabbed by the second track “Square” which to me sounds like the theme music for a movie or TV show I don’t know yet, but really want to, as it sounds cool. Although very different the melody here is very reminiscent of the track “Cracker” by OhGr (Nivek Ogre from Skinny Puppy.) The use of melody lifts the track above basic IDM into realms that make it more theme music-like.
It took me a while to realize this is the same artist who releases under the names BLN or Brazda Lui Novack. I have been a keen follower of releases on the Raumklang label, from that of the label chief Dirk Geiger, or the curiously named [Basementgrrr], and that wonderful album by Hotaru Bay For The Stranded. Hmmm; reminds me I must check their Bandcamp page as I’ve not met the guys since Maschinenfest stopped, where Dirk and Ralf were often found drinking beers, selling really interesting new artists, and good value CD’s on their label stand, or bouncing around in the performance area—nice guys.
There is no lack of variety of sounds and music styles included in this release. There are lots of classic IDM sounds and arrangements, but also some other more grindy, glitchy and brasher sounds come out to play too. Makes more sense now I’ve done my homework and know this is BLN!
There are moments which remind one of earlier Autechre tracks, warmer synths juxtaposition with glitchy beats and more challenging arrangements. Lackluster also comes to mind as another comparison, with complex rhythmics mixed with layered synths. Then there are the more thematic tracks, that feel they are lifted or yet to be paired up with soon to be classic movies or a binge-worthy TV series. Tracks like “Fireflies” remind me a lot of the album Meanwhile by The_Empath, on Hymen Records—sample-use from old space race broadcasts and use of complex rhythms and melodies.
Functions, tables and formulas are in good working order ::
If you like your IDM/electronica on the more experimental edge, and free to roam across any borders into other musical domains then this release is definitely for you. Whilst the old saying may be that there is nothing new under the sun, this release pushed itself to the limit to find new avenues to explore and bring the listener to. Mr Popescu can hold up his head proudly and say you might have things a bit like this before, but this is my own unique well marinated version of electronic music.
Lighter and more melodic moments on the album like the track 11: “Pulse,” help with the breath of variety delivered, whilst retaining a clear identity and character to the overall release. Then we go deep down a dark and bouncy electro direction with the track “Electrix”.
With sounds that would not have been out of place with labels like Planet Mu, Rephlex, Neo Ouija, Touched Music continue to deliver plentiful electronica with no drop in standards.
At times this album reminds me of the lush synthyness of Casino Versus Japan, especially in some of the later tracks like ”Leavve,””Post,” and “Stardust,” and the Ambient mix of ”Malfunction.” Mathmatrix definitely has his functions, tables and formulas in good working order. I’m looking forward to the next release for this project and hearing more from Popescu.
Mathmatrix is available on Touched Music. [Bandcamp]
