Mathias Delplanque - Passeports [Bruit Clair/Cronica Electronica - 2010]2010 saw the release of Mathias Delplanques’ Passeports, a study in the sounds of transportation. Using a combination of field recordings of various transit (harbors, planes and train stations) woven together with various organic, electronic and domestic sounds; Delplanque composes a hymn to movement. The seven pieces represented here are Passeport 1 through 7; each contains field recordings of transit from France (cities Nantes and Lille) and India (Dieppe). Bits of clicks, pops and beeps lace each piece; feelings induced range from chilling to sacred to mysterious. In fact that seems to pepper the entire release: mystery. Every bit of static and hum entwined with the sounds of wind, birds, conversations and urban sounds distorts our reality. You’re never quite sure where you are, if it’s an actual place or a fantasy. The field recordings are obviously real, but the way Delplanque constructs his compositions around them lends itself to a dream like aura.
Nowhere is that better represented on “Passeport 5” an ethereal aura is transposed over wind, static and hum. It sounds simple but the affect on the listener has a spiritual quality to it. With “Passeport 1” we are embraced in a chilling setting, not menacing but again, mysterious. A shimmering ambient sound is mixed with urban sounds giving the listener the feeling of floating.
Delplanques deft ability in composition is showcased throughout. While at times restrained there’s not a feeling of too much or too little. His subtle hand balances each sound, giving the necessary room for things to form naturally; even if they are manipulated electronically.    Viktorya Kaufholz
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