“…This EP is exciting news for Einóma fans, as the project was probably considered dead along with the great label Vertical Form, which released both their full-length albums. Tvenna is hopefully a sign of a new album from Einóma, as the two tracks (split across a 12”, naturally) are both beauties…”
[Listen | Purchase] Tvenna, now almost a year old, is still the newest release from Einóma, and their first since a string of EP’s a few years before that. They still only have two albums under their belts, the last being Milli Tónverka in 2003. This EP is exciting news for Einóma fans, as the project was probably considered dead along with the great label Vertical Form, which released both their full-length albums. Tvenna is hopefully a sign of a new album from Einóma, as the two tracks (split across a 12”, naturally) are both beauties.
“Organic” is the word that comes to mind upon first listen. “Minióma” is an epic that crawls and mutates its way across its whole 11 minutes, steaming and clanking with the energy of some alien factory. A cryptic, steady beat is the obvious anchor of the song. It’s interesting to listen to the percussion slowly transform from its start as a reliable pound to an ever-evolving machine, releasing steam every measure and eventually growing hi-hats, wobbly snares, and interstitial clicks everywhere. It serves as a nice propulsive force, guiding listeners past massive chant-like drones that permeate the atmosphere of the track.
The flip side, “Stepóma,” is slightly more aggressive and sinister. It is oppressive, building for 9 minutes until the drums halt abruptly and the song makes a menacing, crumbling retreat. The beat works at two speeds – one is a plodding, assertive march, while the other is twice that speed, pure digital drum kits and DSP chaos. The instrumentation is well-chosen and is effective in complementing the fearsome feeling the beat evokes. Perhaps the best part of the EP is at 4:15, when the fog is briefly lifted to reveal the song’s stilted, robotic core – just synths and drums for a few seconds, a simple pattern you can’t help but nod your head to.
Tvenna is startlingly fresh and surprising, and hopefully it is the first sign of a new album from Einóma. It sounds like the product of several years of carefully considered production work from the group, and if “Stepóma” is a B-side in the sense that it is an outtake, any upcoming album will be something to look forward to. This may be wishful thinking, but it does not change the fact that Tvenna is highly original, engaging, and recommended for any fan of challenging music.
Tvenna is out now on Lamadameaveclechien. [Listen | Purchase]
