Christ — Cathexis (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The album is the soundtrack for a short 2012 film which utilized sc-fi like computer graphics/animation & Japanese dialogue. The twenty two minute film tells of alternative reality, where the AUJIK community (an fictional esoteric group) lives in a reality marked by technology and nature both spiritually related. The film was created by video artists Stefan Larsson, and the releases inlay booklet features a selection of stills from the film.
The album features eleven tracks in all, and these last between just over the minute to near on eight minute mark. And these tracks move from gentle yet slightly wonky Eno like tonal ambient studies. Through to mixers of hip-hop beat tinged electronica that is underlined by wavery 80’s tinged synth scapes, slow techno like electro texturing, and slightly building post rock sensibilities. Onto moody synth string wavering’s, that are darted with heart like beat scapes & wondering/forlorn music box harmonics. Through to wonky 80’s easy listening synth scaping, under fed by up front hard hitting yet hazed hip-hop beats. And from time to time we get hazes & drifts of digitalized oriental voices.
If a few of the above descriptions sound rather Boards Of Canada like, it’s not surprising as there is a BOC edge present here. But this album is far from another BOC copy project- firstly Chris Horne worked with BOC ( in particular he appeared on BOC's Twoism), and secondly Horne does put his own spin on the whole retro & nostalgia sound, having a more stripped & spacey feel to proceedings compared with much of BOC’s work.
On the whole “Cathexis” is a enjoyable & moody sci-fi journey into nostalgic electronica, IDM, and ambience. Sure there’s nothing really very experimental, or mould breaking on offer here, but if you are in the mood for some electronic music that's laid-back, retro focused, and soothingly melodic this is well worth a look.