(04.05.07) I keep falling asleep while listening to this album.
While this may sound like a terrible thing to say and maybe even one of the worst opening sentences you could imagine reading for a review, the truth is that it’s a very good thing. Mainly because the music is the most soporific I’ve ever heard and it gives you such a feeling of comfort and relaxation it’s difficult to stay awake while listening.
In a nutshell, Eastern European artist Unit 21 has created an album which almost simulates being inside the womb, with rain softly pouring outside (as simulated by vinyl scratches and pops) and someone warmly humming to you over the top (the synths). All in all it’s like being surrounded by a large warm audio blanket with a big fluffy pillow after being fed copious amounts of chicken soup.
Musically November is a very textural and enveloping ambient/dark piece of work. It’s soothing, smooth, biological and reassuringly crispy like an old dusty record revolving on a turntable.
Since receiving this album I have used it to lull me to sleep more than once, including once when horribly hung-over and desperately in need of shuteye and it has not once failed me. I heartily recommend this to insomniacs and stress sufferers everywhere as its sleep inducing hums and crackles are perfect for winding yourself down after a hard day; just don’t listen to it in the car on the way home or you might (literally) crash.
November is out now on Lagunamuch Community.
