Review: Ippu Mitsui / Annie & The Station Orchestra – 'Split EP'

IPPU MITSUI / ANNIE & THE STATION ORCHESTRA
'Split EP'
BEARSUIT RECORDS

This is a genuine split of two sides. First of all we have the Japanese electronic producer Ippu Mitsui who is known for blending a range of electronic genres in interesting ways. Secondly we have Annie & The Station Orchestra with a more melodic and restrained approach to composition. Two very different artists but they compliment each other quite well.

Ippu Mitsui opens with the glitching techno and eclectic experimentalism of 'Lalanona' which recalls the likes of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher at their most rhythmic. 'Doramyo-Kick Off' is a hard and dance-orientated blend of techno synths and hard beets interspersed with experimental flourishes that don't detract from the dance-appeal at its core. 'Dodein Odori' plays with noise and experimental textures further in a more minimalistic way that incorporates simple beats and circuit bent sounds under a veil of noise. 'Impurities' closes out the first half with a display of restrained rhythmic bass and beats that border on the experimental end of witch house before descending into devilish noise.

Annie & The Station Orchestra also have a flair for the experimental but in a more melodic, considered and almost cinematic way. 'Time' marks their first contribution with a mass of simple beats, avant garde loops and simple synthesizer leads to create a melodic but intelligent composition. 'No More Pirates' emerges form its ambient and choppy loops with another simple blend of melody and rhythm that is reminiscent of the soundtrack work of Yoko Kanno. 'Heavy Artillery Ward' begins with a strong hiss of noise which again the more melodic and ambient elements emerge before a middle part which seems lifted entirely from another track. The final track on the release 'Bustippers' follows the formula of the past two tracks with a long introduction of more minimal experimental sounds before a quite pleasing mix of ambient synths, stuttering rhythms and a central loop create a melodic counterpoint.

This is one of those releases by artists who are master craters of sound. On the one hand they can sound noisy and abrasive, and on the other melodic and uplifting. So the production does just what it needs to and gives everything a nice even presentation and mix down.

This is a great release for fans of avant garde / experimental music. Two great artists for the price of one, each bringing something different but complimentary to the table. Whether Ippu Mitsui floats your boat, or you'd like to explore Annie & The Station Orchestra more this release has a lot to offer.  

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Review: Ca†hedra / Mois† - 'Split EP'

CA†HEDRA / MOIS†
'Split EP' 

☰QUALATERALRECORDS

Mexico's Ca†hedra and the US based Mois† get together to release quite a fine split EP here. Featuring separate tracks plus a couple of collaborative efforts the EP gives a little more than your usual split release would. With four original tracks each and two quite frankly sublime co-operations the EP is a fine platform for both acts to show off what they are capable of.

Both acts are steeped in the witch-house / drag / down-tempo rave style with Ca†hedra exploring more ambient atmosphere, while Mois† opts for a more minimalist form.

Ca†hedra's contributions are wonderfully dark and psychedelic with songs like 'King' and 'Graveyard' forcing the rave beats to the surface while the seductive 'Suicide', featuring vocals from Shine Brida, is half sing-a-long and half incantation in its delivery. And the opener 'Incantation' is an unsettling and unnerving blend of magikal lecture and atmospheric drones.

Mois† favours more of a recognisable blend of down-tempo rave electronics and industrialised hip-hop beats across tracks such as 'BonePlay', 'Suger', and 'T00thFairy'. While 'Reality' breaks out the heavily distorted vocals and more experimental songstructure.

However the two collaborations 'I Prey' and 'Pain' are perhaps this EPs biggest selling points. The hanging drones and delicate pianos combined with simple but effective beats and melodic synths make this a great chill-out track. While 'Pain' is a more stripped-back and beat-heavy track with a simple and memorable synth lead.

The production isn't amazing, but it does compliment the music. It is rough around the edges but on the whole it is well mixed and doesn't detract from the songs themselves.

This is a very enjoyable EP that shows off some great material from both acts. But it is the points where they crossover that is perhaps the most interesting. I'm sure both acts will build on this strong platform individually. But based on 'I Prey' and 'Pain', it would be a shame if a side-project, or at the very least another split release wasn't on the cards for the future. 

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