Sel by Paul Kerdommarec

DS023

Decaying Spheres proudly presents an intricately textured ambient journey, proud with palpable form and composed of coarse, rich surfaces to explore. French experimental artist Paul Kerdommarec’s Sel. 

Each moment of the 7-track release is dredged from deep in the bowels of a large analogue set-up, scattered with effects pedals and synthesisers and brought together through an improvisational style. The result is a deeply moving but uncertain mood, carved with sonic peaks and gouges, a blending of organic and electronic elements until a strong lattice of sound takes shape. 

The listener is presented with a release of incredible depth through which to sink. The trembling majesty of Un Hiver with Aphex Twin-like rainy melodies shivering through loamy rhythmic laments. An enlivened natural palette writhes and cavorts through sheets of damp mist, wordless ambient emotion made real. 

Sadness finds its way through these analogue concoctions in different guises. La Forme des Nuages is a defunct march of heartache, a timid and indecisive melody slicked with sharp rain before heavenly pads coat the earthy scene in an effervescent flow. A lowly melancholy tune dragged aloft until it’s disorientated.

Sel’s rhythm often infers itself while stalking the scene through shadowy thrumming of deep bass tones, but Kerdommarec’s dance influences push to the surface brilliantly. Derive’s house-inspired kick drums ripple through cloudy composition. A dormant momentum pulsing through grey layers gracefully. 

A dynamic release in which analogue ambience clears toward its soft conclusion. Soupe de Lentilles’ lurching quaint melody interpolates folk elements, planting listener’s feet on the ground following a low-flying euphoric journey. A mastery of both grandiose sorrow and introspective stillness.

Decaying Spheres provides a sonic journey carved in a tangible surface by Paul Kerdommarec. Gorgeous sounds trickle from an intricate experimental set-up, traversable and alive with a dreary beauty.

Strange living and mysterious findings that pierces through the mist.

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