Kangding Ray – Cory Arcane (CD Album – Raster-Noton)
Genre/Influences: IDM, experimental-techno.
Background/Info: Kangding Ray (aka David Letellier) is a rather familiar artist releasing his work on Raster-Noton. “Cory Arcane” is the 5th full length of the French artist on the label.
Content: ‘Cory Arcane found her comfort zone in a constant state of crisis, and her liberation through love, sensuality, and high-speed internet access’. This conceptual theme was transposed into an intelligent and clearly IDM-minded sound. There’s an exciting twist between minimal-technoid arrangements and some more evasive passages. Some of the tracks move into mysterious atmospheres while there also is a more exotic touch emerging at the surface of a few cuts.
+ + + : I especially like the rather constant sound manipulations animated by subtle bleeps and somewhat darker, industrial components.
– – – : Some experimental elements are less accessible, but on the other side it also is one of the characteristics of the artist’s creation.
Conclusion: Kangding Ray is a confirmed value on Raster-Noton and the IDM scene as well. This album confirms the creative mind of this artist and his never-ending will to explore new sound-paths.
Best songs: “These Are My Rivers”, “Safran”, “Acto”, “Bleu Oscilliant”.
Rate: (DP:7½)DP.
Band: www.kangdingray.com
Label: www.raster-noton.net / www.facebook.com/rasternoton
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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.
