Teaktshramin is the debut album by ENV(itre) that also doubles as first release on the brand new Aphorism Records. This is good stuff and Aphorism is clearly an interesting newcomer. An album sporting 14 tracks and weighing in at 45:58 min will either suffer the judgement that it’s too short or that there’s too many tracks on it. Both things can be said to be true of “Teaktshramin” but it is still an excellent first release as well as debut album. The opening track “Couldec” serves as a perfect intro and sets the mood, great choice of sounds and solid beats programming with complexity and harshly treated sounds combined in such a way that the forward movement isn’t lost. The second track “Andrea” is built along the same musical drawing as the opening track, but considerably less harsh sounding. It’s craftsman’s electronic music without being the least generic. “Do the Gew” manifests the first induced feeling of a solidly produced album. When the album progresses so does my associations and they point me in the direction of the likes of M-tech and possibly Phonem. Not bad influences I might add. The vocal experiment? “A Breathe (with Morbid_monja)” however, painfully illustrates the difficulties involved with using vocals… no matter how they sound. “Brummede and Surje” is a quality piece of electronic music that also succeeds with incorporating some nostalgic references without being retro. “Fillit” is an excellent track with understated melody and awesome beats programming. The same can be said about “Beljron”. “Avril Afech”, “Ohms Groove” and “Heflit” the last one being a drum machine marvel it’s too bad it only lasts for 120 seconds. “Purlinpark” is great and the references are clearly visible here as well, but it doesn’t matter. Then there’re the beat filled, filtered and beautiful compositions of “Q Boonp”. The thirteenth track is entitled “The World would be better without” and has some intense off beat programming, cut-up trickery and a message to boot. It’s only for the headstrong though. “Velcq Calling” is a beatless and intense track that also ends the album. I don’t know what Velcq means but it doesn’t seem entirely safe… This album is with one exception a thoroughly enjoyable and an equally good first release. ED welcomes Aphorism Records to the wonderful world of electronic music and look forward to the next Aphoristic offering.
electronic desert ≡ revisited + extended