Signals vinyl

It's clearly a Scandinavian thing, as Finland's Lau Nau and Sweden's Matti Bye team up to bring us a work of refined, minimalistic beauty - contemporary classical that speaks directly to the heart and soul, even if it often chooses to use sparse words. Ever elegant, it impresses from beginning to end and isn't shy of trying to surprise us, hence the arpeggiated refrains of 'Le Premiere Jour Dans L Lune'; the loudest thing here and in many ways sonic centrepiece of the whole album. Elsewhere things are softer and more reserved, but no less accomplished. 'Earth Shadow' is darker, or at least more introverted, while 'Cloud Circles' somehow comes across as both desolate and inviting, and the twinkling keys and chimes of 'Ile Disparu' present another high point of subtle intensity, an overture that only fully reveals itself once you are neck-deep in its power.

Juno Recommends Ambient/Drone