Blizzards [CD]

Nathan Fake - Blizzards [CD]

Originally released in 2020 and using a deliberately restricted hardware setup and recording most of the tracks in a single take, Blizzards dives straight into the eye of the storm for a turbulent 11-track package. The title -- a partial nod to the tumultuousness of British politics -- but equally apt at describing Nathan's cyclical melodic leads, serves as a visual cue to accompany each track. Glistening nodes are spun into geometric oddities before spiraling through frantic rhythmic frameworks, from the radiant layers of "Pentiamonds" to the dissonant delirium of "Stepping Stone." Beginning with the intention of "soundtracking the ideal rave," Blizzards borrows heavily from Nathan's approach to his live show, capturing unadulterated moments of creative insight to form microscopically detailed aesthetic statements. Whilst the lush melodies he is known for are central to the album, there is also a heavy dose of experimentation, expanding on the familiar sonic palette of his earlier work. For every warm synth and resolved cadence there is an atonal spiral and gritty distortion lurking around the corner. As might also be expected of his music, polyrhythms feature throughout, sometimes taking on a life of their own but always providing a precise percussive grounding for melodies to weave in and out of. The effects of this are at times disorienting, at others psychedelic, but always intriguing, owing to the influences of early rave and IDM as much as folklorism and spirituality. Norfolk born and bred, Nathan's first encounters with electronic music came via the radio, hearing the likes of Aphex Twin and Orbital, and reading about the equipment that they used in magazines. This was the stimulus for him to buy some gear and begin his own sonic experiments and, linking with James Holden in 2003, Nathan's early output came via his fledgling Border Community label. 01. Cry Me A Blizzard 02. Tbilisi 03. Pentiamonds 04. Stepping Stone 05. Ezekiel 06. North Bank 07. Vectra 08. Firmament 09. Torch Song 10. Eris & Dysnomia 11. Vitesse