In short, a bright, diverse and obviously best record in the group’s discography.
Space electronics is a rather conservative genre, and it is more interesting to observe how musicians in the framework of this rather narrow niche change and evolve. In 2011, the Forma Brooklyn trio began with slightly autistic arpeggios accompanied by a stingy accompaniment of a drum machine that does not create a groove (you should not forget that the revival of space electronics took place just in the lo-fi underground). Little by little, their sound became more refined, and the structure of the compositions became more complex and “progressive.” The third Psysicalist release (2016), which marked the transition of the group under the patronage of the Kranky label, was already an example of modern reading of Kraut-rock and the Berlin e-school. But the very first sounds of Semblance make it clear that the musicians were already crowded in this clearing. The opening disc of the play “Crossings” is built on loops in the spirit of Steve Reich, monotonous organ chords and a complex rhythmic pattern with tribal flavor. And although “Ostinato” is already more similar to their old recordings, but here, behind the arpeggios and disco rhythms, minimalism is clearly heard. The second side suddenly opens up with quite a new-edition number “Rebreather,” but immediately after it, as if, as an excuse, a collage with spoken-word vocals, paying tribute to the experimental eightieth from Art Of Noise to Lori Anderson. And after that—a 10-minute immersion in the instrumental prog-rock with piano, guitar and flute. In short, a bright, diverse and obviously best record in the group’s discography.
Semblance is available on Kranky.
