Throughout the ULTRACHROMA, there’s a sense of the infinite. Oscillating synths feel like they’re going to float away, but they never actually leave.
A cohesive, propulsive statement
ULTRACHROMA is David Letellier, aka Kangding Ray’s, first proper full-length since Hyper Opal Mantis was released on Stroboscopic Artefacts back in 2017. It’s also his first album on his own label, ara. There have been a few EPs between then and now, as well as 61 Mirrors / Music for SKALAR, an album-length version of the pieces that he composed for an art installation of the same name. All of which is to say, it’s great to hear Letellier once again stretch out and deliver a cohesive, propulsive statement.
True to its title, each of ULTRACHROMA‘s ten tracks is named for a color, and there’s a vividness that runs through the entire album. “Mauve Deepens” kicks everything off with what sounds like a synthetic hammered dulcimer that quickly moves into blunt, thudding beats and skittery rhythms while notes percolate behind an understated melody builds. There are things here that definitely remind me of Moderat, in a very good way. Three tracks in, ULTRACHROMA is all about forward motion. “Twilight Seven” is a ridiculous amalgamation of insistent beats, arpeggiating synths, and subtle melodies. And then it’s gone.
After the percussive workout of “Bitter Keylime,” Letellier goes ambient with “Neo Rouge.” Full of indecipherable digital voices wrapping themselves around sweeps and chimes, it’s a beautiful setup for “Pearls & Lichens,” which gets back to the flavor of the earlier tracks, but without the slamming beats. These two tracks give the listener a chance to catch their breath. They also do an excellent job of providing a distinct midpoint to the album.
A colorful, engaging experience ::
Where the first half of ULTRACHROMA is a steady barrage of heavy beats, the second half is slightly more subdued, but certainly not lifeless. “Pervinca Lucente” moves things back toward the dance-floor, if only briefly. “Late Coral Glow” could almost be seen as “New Rouge Part 2.” A pulsating, circling sweep permeates the track, With melody provided by synthetic metal chimes. The ambience of the background, and another indecipherable voice give it just a touch of uneasiness.
“Antiblau” comes in with more activity and snare drum breaks to complement the bubbling main line while soft pads fill in the rest of the space. It’s not as in-your-face as the first four tracks, but that seems to be by design, as “Sage Aqua” takes pieces of everything else previously heard and melds them into an atmospheric comedown.
Throughout the ULTRACHROMA, there’s a sense of the infinite. Oscillating synths feel like they’re going to float away, but they never actually leave. The Shepard tone that builds through the last two minutes of “Sage Aqua” gives a feeling of endlessness, and it’s almost disorienting when the track (and the album as a whole) ends; the ensuing silence is almost deafening. Letellier absolutely delivers a colorful, engaging experience; one that welcomes repeated listens and rewards a good set of headphones.
ULTRACHROMA is available on ara June 3, 2022. [Bandcamp]
