This release is ambient in the truest meaning of the word. It is a solid representation of an artists experience of hostile surroundings. Rendered so accurately on a canvas of sound. Vladislav Delay (Rasu Ripatti) returns back from his journey and shares it with you.
Isolated and open, yet at the same time claustrophobic
With my breakfast eaten, and cup of tea beside me. I relax in my favorite chair. I put my headphones on, and press the play button on my browser. The page previously loaded at the press pack promotion for the release.
The sound starts and I am suddenly jolted by something that arrives completely out of nowhere. Without warning, or build up. The atmosphere is instantly ’red hot’. This has got my complete and undivided attention.
For me it’s the morning of Tuesday 28th of January. It’s a grey day, having been raining now for three days solid. What I am listening to is the new release from artist Vladislav Delay. It’s been several years since Visa (Ripatti, 2014)—Sasu Ripatti’s last release under this moniker and it truly is great to hear this artist return with such a thump.
I have vague memories of first listening to Vladislav Delay in around 2003 during a trip to the Scottish west coast. It was the Ranta EP (Chain Reaction, 2000). I was with my parents and didn’t drive at the time, so it was an excellent opportunity to disappear in music and thought. I remember listening to the music, looking out the window and thinking how fitting a soundscape it were. The isolated, windswept, rocky coast of the land. Whilst remembering my experience with this music, it was interesting to discover that the influence of this latest release was born out of Ripatti’s time spent in the wilderness. Above the Arctic Circle and tree line.
As mentioned previous, the first track, the title-track instantly got my attention. Sonically it pushes the listener into a place that they don’t necessarily want to be. Isolated and open, yet at the same time claustrophobic. Intense, percussive sounds rattle into place over drones and pad sounds. The occasional bass punches through the air like the sound of distant fog warning. It sounds weathered and cold. A surely unforgiving place. When the second track “Raajat” starts, it dawns on me that this is a place, where, although beautiful and natural, it’s a place I don’t want to be alone for long periods of time. This is a place where the human world struggles to get a foothold. There are brief moments of tranquility. But the listener is in a world that is unpredictable and outside their usual comfort zone. But there is optimism—there’s something to be gained from this adventure.
With “Rakkine” (track 3) starting up. I’m deeper under water again. Thumping kicks, surrounded by what appears to be voices. Like attempted radio broadcasts failing to reach a place of safety. The energy from his soundscape is akin to wave battered coastlines. Sharp, jagged rocks that tear through your skin. Although I secretly enjoy this audio trip, I need to come up for some air. With this being the end of Side A, I am quite relieved that any listener can get that chance to catch their breath. The silence they experience from flipping the 12” over would be temporary relief from this claustrophobic sting. But for me, there’s no such luxury. I am listening digitally. But still—I’ve finished my cup of tea, so I take this time to make another one.
Side B kicks off with “Raakile.” I become aware that all the track names on this release begin with the letter ‘R’. With Ripatti’s Finnish origin I quickly go over to Google Translate to see if I can get a better meaning as to what the track titles mean. Google tells me Raakile means ’Green Fruit’. A sign of optimism in this harsh landscape? Are things about to sound any calmer? The short answer to that is ‘NO’. I then find myself going back to discover the meaning to the other track titles, just to get an idea of where I’ve been on this journey—yeah—the other titles confirm my pathway. “Raakile,” or ‘Green Fruit’—if Google translate is working properly—serves as a sort of intermission. A slight break from the exposure. Although, as I indicated earlier, this is short lived. You are soon to be rocked once more by the elements.
This release is ambient in the truest meaning of the word. It is a solid representation of an artists experience of hostile surroundings. Rendered so accurately on a canvas of sound. Vladislav Delay (Rasu Ripatti) returns back from his journey and shares it with you. Although you may have the luxury of a comfortable armchair. Not one to be missed folks.
Rakka is available on Cosmo Rhythmatic.
