Autechre: First "Quaristice" Review Exclusive
Autechre have released their new full-length „Quaristice“ as an MP3- or FLAC-download from online retailer BLEEP. The twenty new tracks of „Quaristice“ will be accompanied by track-to-track artwork courtesy of the Designer's Republic, also in charge of the cover graphics. On March 3rd, the Web-release will be followed by the physical formats: A standard CD, a Vinyl LP and a limited Edition Double-CD. The latter will be adorned by a 68 minute Bonus Disc, featuring „different version of selected tracks from Quaristice“ and come in a photo-etched, steel slip case plus gatefold wallet not to be had anywhere else. At just 1000 copies worldwide, the special edition must be seen as an extremely rare item, which is sure to fetch high prices at Ebay soon – fans are hereby warned to make use of the preorder option on the Autechre site. Because the release can be scanned in its entirety at BLEEP, here's a tentative first review of what „Quaristice“, one of the most eagerly anticpated electronic albums this year, sounds like:
On the other hand, there is an incredible shockwave of energy running through the material, a new-found urgency and playfulness, which jumps and bounces in all directions. Atmospheric opener „Altibzz“ is slightly misleading with its emotional undulations and angelic choir motives – but not out of place on a work which goes all the way from melodic Micro-Step on „The Plc“ and the darkly hickuping distortion-hollers of „plyPhon“ to the ethno-influenced digital tabla-sim of „Simmm“and the ambient soundscapes of „paralel Suns“, there is hardly a moment without sudden stylistic twists and turns on „Quaristice“.
It is almost as if Autechre had written the album specifically for the club. A track like „Tankakern“ is nocturnal, seductive and would feel completely at home in an underground rave - „rale“, meanwhile gets the adrenalin rushing with enormously generous use of reverb and aggressive frequencies. As the album progresses, it evolves into a more sinister, but ever more groovy direction – you can almost see the masses go wild to a raw stomper like „90101-5l-l“.
„Quaristice“ is no longer „experimental“ in the sense that it sets out to cover new ground. But it does play with existing elements in a way, which awards it a thrilling sensation. There is a mood running through the album, which forces you to return to it and which won't leave you after you've hit the „stop“ button. I certainly look forward to playing this album from beginning to end without interruption.
For those who can't wait for either the album or our longer review in March, Autechre will stream an internet radio show based around „Quaristice“ from their website on Saturday 23rd of February.
Homepage: Autechre
Homepage: Autechre: "Quaristice" at Bleep Downloads
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