Using all kinds of interesting methods of sound design, Lemke fused a myriad of ideas and atmospheres into a unique whole that is stimulating, elegant, and edgy just in the right places.
Prolific, experimental record label, Denovali, continues with its endeavor to spread exciting, contemporary and far-reaching music, and strikes again with another lovely release full of dexterity and out of the box thinking. John Lemke‘s debut People Do is a highly detailed and individual sounding work, sculpted with great attention to texture and shape. With a highly transformative nature, all the tracks are unpredictable and keep the listener in a pleasuring suspense. They twist and morph, chime and throb.
John Lemke is a Glasgow based composer and sound designer, known for his work for the BBC and Channel 4—composing for documentary films—and collaborative work with Hidden Orchestra‘s Poppy Ackroyd among other things. His talent shines clearly through the compositions of People Do. Using all kinds of interesting methods of sound design, Lemke fused a myriad of ideas and atmospheres into a unique whole that is stimulating, elegant, and edgy just in the right places. Prepared piano, cunning beats, strange guitar flashes and showers of electronics, all flow together as a tight, spacey and capturing musical squadron with an elusive mystical aura. It’s electronic music that doesn’t sound electronic. The acoustic treatments add some kind of raw, organic quality to the album, but People Do doesn’t sound acoustic either.
The press release states it’s for fans of Four Tet, Boards Of Canada, The Notwist, Hauschka, Pole, Aphex Twin, Lali Puna; but don’t expect to hear clones or tributes, People Do has a distinctive, original personality, and definitely a charming one. This is refreshing music. One of the very best of 2013, no doubt.
People Do is available on Denovali. [Release page]
