Cuttooth’s skillful use of direct electronic manipulation and subtle ambient flourishes allows Elements to feel at home with the listener. Even with the abundance of static-charges, sparkling digital fuzz and ashes of yesteryear’s ambient-electronic tendencies, it all simmers in one cohesive extension of lost time.
Cuttooth (also known as Nick Cooke) breaths life into shimmering instruments and loosened hip-hop to extract brushed vocals that cascade left, right and center. Crackling layers dance among delicate visions of electric spheres as peculiar pathways lead to cyclic memories of the past. It’s all here, tucked away curiously and with a certain elemental direction.
Breaking pre-conceived notions of time, each piece barely pushes the two and a half minute mark. The flow of seamless elements is manifested via experimental interludes, inspiring samples and a cadence that floats across dried-out sand dunes. Vocals ebb and flow through the landscape veering between echoes of Vanessa Daou, lyrical chopping of Machinedrum and shadows of Deceptikon. Yet there’s a peace, space and calm in between each colorful sizzle.
Downbeat might be Elements‘ exterior lining, however, burred within its sixteen emotive selections is a beam of light radiating curiosity, wonder, and a sense of positivity. Cuttooth’s skillful use of direct electronic manipulation and subtle ambient flourishes allows Elements to feel at home with the listener. Even with the abundance of static-charges, sparkling digital fuzz and ashes of yesteryear’s ambient-electronic tendencies, it all simmers in one cohesive extension of lost time.
Elements is out now on Psychonavigation.
