Concisely executed glitches and edits coupled with lush harmonies and melodic passages make this release brilliant from start to finish. Perhaps even his most mature and fully realized material as a solo artist.
Haidinger’s latest work and re-introduction to the IDM scene
The former Toytronic stalwart Martin Haidinger (who works under several different alias’) had seemingly been dormant since around 2005, his last output being a CD-R compilation titled News from the Past. But in 2019 Haidinger reemerged from his lengthy hiatus with a vinyl re-issue of the classic Links Berge Rechts Seen from his Abfahrt Hinwil project (a release we now consider a classic) with Chris Cunningham—as well as a brand new tape label called Hidden Reality. Partnering with n5MD, Gimmik also took many by surprise with two strictly ambient / drone records Entre Les Chambres and Deux Novelles. While stunning in their own right, these albums were somewhat of a departure from the signature Gimmik sounds heard on the timeless Toytronic imprint. Enter: Cloudwalker—Haidinger’s latest work and re-introduction to the IDM scene.
Once the steady rhythm of the opener “Short Wave Memories” kicks in you feel immediately as if you’ve seen a long-lost friend—with its crisp and clear electronic drum kits accompanied by a bass melody that shifts and glides over gentle chorded pads. The following track “Propylenglycol” has the same unmistakable high energy and electro tempo along with an infectious 303 line that sets into motion midway through. “Patching Shadows (Modular Nature III)” takes a turn towards the ambient side of Gimmik’s productions, lacking any prominent rhythm but instead taking the listener for an excursion through somewhat darker emotive tones. “Carter’s Final Transmission” commences with detuned synth chords and as the sonic layers gradually stack up, the structure of the song reveals itself becoming more evident—adding and subtracting with impeccable timing. “In My Family” switches gears again with nostalgia-inducing melodies akin to something off of the Ulrich Schanuss album Far Away Trains Passing By. “Walking on Wheels” features delayed arpeggiations bouncing back and forth and could be the perfect soundtrack to an early morning sunrise. Pounding kick and clattering snare at the forefront, “Voltage Controlled Organisms” contains what is likely the heaviest beat on the entire album—while simultaneously squirming around in your headphones with subtle sonic treats.
As far as songwriting and composition is concerned, Cloudwalker draws many similarities to Gimmik’s prior albums, Slow Motion Process and (Back to Basics), but there is definitely a much more modern feel to the music. Concisely executed glitches and edits coupled with lush harmonies and melodic passages make this release brilliant from start to finish. Perhaps even his most mature and fully realized material as a solo artist.
Double smoke colored vinyl limited to 250 copies worldwide is available for pre-order.
Cloudwalker is available on n5MD. [Bandcamp]
