Ilse Of Real vinyl

Real is Par Grindvik's debut album, and it explains why he is so well regarded. The Swede-in-Berlin is as much at home making the mellow, dreamy ambient of "Never Give In" as he is belting out the hard-as-nails minimalism of "Headland". Grindvik clearly has a deeply musical streak and this is audible on the title track's mournful piano scapes and the layered textures of "Tide Us Part". Even when he locks into full-on techno mode, this influence remains audible. The hammmering kicks on "Limits Of Real" underscore warbling keys and the robust broken beats of "Shelter" house solemn melodic sequences that weave in and out of Grindvik's direct but subtle arrangements.