untide - untide

Untide 

Untide
Somehow Recordings; 2013

4.3 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Daniel Lofredo Rota, aka Untide has made an exceptional album. If you have any interest in innovative, cinematic compositions that fuse together different genres to create an almost cathartic type of experience keep reading. Rota released a self-titled album Untide that fans of Max Richter and Philip Glass will more than appreciate. It contains music that seems destined for film in some sense. Whether it’s a movie with a narrative or just a collage of images, the music seems to conjure pictures in your mind. The music is filled with an ample amount of sounds but doesn't ever feel like there are too many elements to keep track of. Everything from bells, to reverse fluctuations  to barely recognizable vocals seem to be in the mix. Each song brings a variety of soundscapes while still sounding recognizable as an album.

Things start off with “Turquoise,” which sounds like a sweet combination of glitch, massive attack and classical music. Lofredo isn't afraid to sound dark and mysterious as the music swells like waves of various emotions. After the three- minute accomplishment I buckled in and was ready for the rest of the ride. Luckily I wasn't disappointed. The Second song “Richter Doesn’t Live Here” has a steady kick drum that subdues the surrounding bells that occupy the frequency spectrum. One of his best pieces of work is “Strange Rendezvous” which sounds like straight up IDM. Its a dark song that reminded me of early Dentel. He utilizes some vocal samples that you wouldn't think would work but absolutely do. I was digging the vibe on “Bellringer” which had this interesting Persian vibe but not as interesting as the way he implements vocals. They aren’t upfront in the mix. Instead they seem to be manipulated with a couple of different types of filter that give the vocals a type of telephone effect. The album closes with the mesmerizing “Not Too Long, But Close Enough” which felt like I made it to the finish line. It has this optimistic but nostalgic vibe as if I was looking upon my past life in a ghostly form. The song changes quite a bit but the feeling stays the same as it approaches its end.

I encourage any fan of music to take a listen to this album. It showcases sound in an attractive way that can stir up such a visceral reaction that it becomes visual.

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