COH — Strings

Considering this is on Raster-noton  label it sounds very un raster-noton like, the music here is often very touched by emotion and often full sounding. Strings brings together a collection of very organic  and often very un- digital sounding and atmospheric electronic pieces by Russian  Electronic artist  COH- utilizing piano, electric and acoustic guitar.

I think why this is so rewarding and different from  than the strew of electronic meets organic releasers is he lets the  organic sounds and instruments  own texture and tension come to life, never over suffocating them in digital sheen or glitch. The electronic manipulation is  skilful and  often subtle done & more often than not you have to listen close to pick it out.  The album really builds up texture and pace from track to track- the first track is very heart felt and beautiful- a slightly sad collection of piano elements. Track two utilizes  piano once more  but this time in a more upbeat manner with very open and but tight  piano manipulations, with later stripped down bass electronics and subtle beat jitter added.  By track four onwards the guitar is introduced doing  manipulated funky & atmospheric strut, or as chugging fuzzed walls of rock guitar muffle, or Spanish or classical patterns, with the authentic strums seemling flow separate yet inexpiable linked to electro elements.

It’s clear that Ivan Pavlov is a very accomplished piano and guitar player himself, so instead of manipulating instruments he has no understanding of he knows their every in and out and how to let the sound settle or fade out at just the right moment making this a highly reward, not afraid to be melodic and emotional collection of tracks