Gjevik, EOD, CN, whatever nom de plume is being employed, is a real talent. His tracks not only have a retrospective innocence, they have a developed melodic quality and a vibrancy that can often be lacking in modern Electronics.
The bad weather plaguing Britain has not dampened the releasing appetite of Central Processing Unit. Sheffield Bleep’s imprint has looked at tense Electro with Cygnet and warmer Braindance sounds with FAH. It is to the latter that the UK label returns, this time picking up CN for his Voyages EP. CN, Stian Gjevik, has been catching the ear with his frenetic sounds and mesmerizing melodies, recently being picked up for a 12” by Rephlex under his better known EOD moniker.
The bright eyes of the title track opens. A steady rhythm is the central structure from which CN transmits lush analogue beams for a deep and satisfying piece. As “New Ways to Walk” struts in you’d be forgiven for thinking another record had landed. Boulder busting beats bore and bury before bitterly distorted synth-lines arrive. Softer sounds worm their way into the battery, melting much of the aggression. Elements of Caustic Window alongside outright noodling. The crisp snapping snares of “Intravenous” gets the flip started. The track has that undeniable playfulness of EOD. The jazzier notes of of Squarepusher’s earlier material are present to add an insulating layer to some of the chillier Electro undertones. Gjevik seems to have enough energy left for a final outburst of machine mayhem. “Zener Diode Blues” tears out of the traps with a juddering arpeggiator that is charged with rippling beats for a neon streaked work of fast paced Nintendo Sci-Fi action.
Gjevik, EOD, CN, whatever nom de plume is being employed, is a real talent. His tracks not only have a retrospective innocence, they have a developed melodic quality and a vibrancy that can often be lacking in modern Electronics. Another well rounded outing from this Norwegian artist.
Voyages is available on Central Processing Unit. [Release page]
