To two small but always dependable, softspoken Australian labels (Hidden Shoal and Preservation) was added a third at the very end of 2011—Twice Removed.
To two small but always dependable, softspoken Australian labels (Hidden Shoal and Preservation) was added a third at the very end of 2011—Twice Removed. Having already released a haystack of this reviewer’s international favourites, including Ryonkt, Berber Ox, Bengalfuel and Sindre Bjerga, two homegrown composers stick out from 2012’s harvest—Sima Kim and Tim Bass.
Citing Arvo Pärt as a major influence, Kim says his main theme is “between”—between the notes, between the layers. Songs is a perfect little album featuring two Roman-numeralled tracks and two remixes thereof, by Darren Harper and Bengalfuel, respectively. Each piece is a colourful marvel of its own. Unphased by the bustling city crowd, Kim sits like the palm tree of calm and plucks out a gentle, repetitive melody on guitar, piano, swaddled in synthesizer, a female whisper echoing in his ear. The second piece tinkles into being like a child’s ring dance, a naïve synth and drum machine join in and it evolves into a revolving, rainbow coloured carousel. Remarkably, none of this feels cloying—just sweet and innocent. Darren Harper’s airy remix brings out a much more tentative side to the first piece, as if it were Kim were agoraphobic, whereas American duo Bengalfuel strike up a happy martial beat and turn him into an extrovert marching down the middle of the street waving a flag made of bubbles.
In contrast, Tim Bass broods alone on I Have Become Overcome with Thoughts of You, a moody, ambient drift that could have been inspired by the old-fashioned, woody timbre of the harmonium, only rethought through a synthesizer. As it rolls cloudlike over a calm blue, it becomes heavier with a humidity that could be despondancy, could be reluctant acceptance. It’s not a very long album, but it is executed with beautiful restraint and makes a deep impression.
Both releases are available on Twice Removed.
