(03.27.08) TRUST records returns to open their account for 2008. 2007 was a good
year for the Austrian imprint, putting out releases by Clatterbox,
Urban Tribe and Patrick Pulsinger. Now the Viennese are back with a
new 12″ by a debut artist, Christopher Kirk aka Biepang, entitled
Bleak Leisure. But, can TRUST maintain the quality of 2007?
Bleak Leisure opens with “Shuttle Artica.” The backbone of the
track is a bassy synthesizer around which simple beats and a strung
out melody coil. The tempo is quite laid back, with lighter notes
developing to make the track much more of a home headphone affair than
a fogged floor piece. As the track develops it becomes more complex,
forming into a multifaceted and interesting minimal electro work.
“Blanked Populace” ends the A side. The piece moves straight into cold
electro sounds that jumble amongst beats and squalid bass. The track
lacks some of the cleverness of its predecessor, with the melody
losing the listener’s interest quite rapidly. “Blanked Populace” is
not a bad piece, but it is one of the less memorable of the EP and
there is the feeling that a better track could have been picked to end
side A on.
The title track, “Bleak Leisure,” breathes sinister electro chords
into the B side. As Biepang introduces further chords an Urban Tribe
or Dopplereffekt sound rings true. Distorted vocals slide in, adding
to the dissociated coldness of the track’s synthlines. “Bleak Leisure”
is for sure a bleak piece of electro, but holds that magnetic minimal
sound that calls listeners back. The sonic solitude follows as chilled
chords remain for “Sagan’s Warning.” The tones are frigid and quite
basic, lacking some of the depth needed to produce a really effective
piece of minimal electro. Yet, as the track develops there are some
interesting twists and tweaks that spark the listener’s intrigue. The
record finishes up with “Tide Capsule.” Warped tones introduce the
piece as a new warmth is ushered in with crisp beats and, dare it be
said, playful analogue chords. The track is a wonderful work of
electro, mixing autumnal and wintery tones to produce a complex and
admirable number.
Bleak Leisure has its ups and downs. There are some very
interesting pieces on the 12″ but some of the less gripping works have
a strange weighting effect on the vinyl, causing the listener to flip
the record on some tracks. Nevertheless, there is some nice music on
here. “Bleak Leisure” is an engaging and powerful work, as is “Tide
Capsule” which breaks from the coolness displayed in other pieces on
the wax. Overall, Bleak Leisure is an admirable effort by Biepang.
Some tracks on here needed to be brought on further to fully extract
their potential, but with the exhibit of electro talent on here
Biepang’s next outing shall be eagerly anticipated.
Bleak Leisure is out now on TRUST.
