Circumpolar – Until The End Of Time (EP – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: IDM, industrial, electronic, ambient, experimental.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Circumpolar is the Swedish duo Jonas Mattson – Patrik Wallin.They last year self-released their debut-EP “Until The End Of Time” and next got signed on Alfa Matrix, which re-released this work.
Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the sound of Circumpolar. Their composition rapidly appears to be a juxtaposition between related electronic music styles. The opening song reminds me a bit of the complexity of Mentallo & The Fixer; a sophisticated composition driven by deep, resonating bass lines and dark sequences. The track progressively builds up. “The Rain Will Burn” in a way symbolizes the rest of the EP. I also discovered a more explicit ambient creation, which has something atypical and therefor experimental. The vocals have something spooky and inhibited, which fits the music.
+ + + : Circumpolar brings a complex, and intelligent electronic format. The sound stands for a fusion between IDM, industrial and electro-ambient music so in the end it’s somewhat experimental and maybe a little visionary-like. I enjoy the dark sphere hanging over the songs while the ghost-like vocals reinforce this darkness. This is great music to listen to.
– – – : “Until The End Of Time” is not exactly the most accessible genre of electronics; it’s not made to set dancefloors on fire, but is a type of music that is part of a wider artistic performance including visuals.
Conclusion: Circumpolar definitely enlarges the sonic horizon of Alfa Matrix; the music appears to be a truly challenge, which will appeal to lovers of intelligent electronics.
Best songs: “The Rain Will Burn”, “I Can See The Dawn (The End Of The World)”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Circumpolar1
Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Until The End Of Time’.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
