Having previously had his material released via an entree of seven inches on such hip European labels as Zeal Records, Awkward Silence, Static Caravan and Emanate, 4AD kindly deliver Xian Hawkin’s main course in the form of Nonument.
Whilst lazily being lumped with the mass of seemingly infinite electronica artists of today, Sybarite sits much more nicely amongst such acts as Manitoba, Fourtet and Accelera deck just to name a few. They all have taken the logical step from purely sequenced and automated electronic music toward a much more organic process of using acoustic instrumentation and more traditional song writing methods. Xian himself is quite the multi-instrumentalist, dabbling in guitar, trumpet amongst other instruments.
At just over forty-five minutes, Nonument arrives and then gradually and gracefully drifts into the audio sunset without drawing too much attention to itself. “Secropia” and “The Fourth Day” announce the overall mood with things being well and truly mellow and groovy.
“Renzo Piano” introduces the Mouse on Mars style detuned melodies and dub elements we have all come to know so well, along with what sounds much like a distressed whale on lead vocal.
“Water” kicks in with a fantastic laced house rhythm and understated vocals that keep the song from drifting into an aimless and angst wash of moody but glorious washes of instrumentation.
“The Accidental Triumph” and “Leap Year” are pleasant enough as musical statements, but don’t quite evolve to a level that would allow repeat listening. Both mix atmospheric electronic textures with live instruments (trumpet and strings) with interesting results, but ultimately the reluctance of the arrangements to move beyond introductory playfulness leaves the listener yearning for something more solid and dynamic. “Three Sided” closes the album perfectly, with graceful and delicate guitar manipulations scattered amongst a bed of frail, almost inaudible percussion.
Nonument is a beautiful and emotional album, and bravely chooses to exist beyond any defined genre within electronic music. This fact however, in this instance, detracts slightly from the album’s focus, leaving a feeling of a potentially magnificent album that just possibly spreads itself a little too thin.
Nonumnent is out now on 4AD.
