Getting together in Berlin, 2019, Two Form A Click (DJ Sna y and Wretchen Redspiders) and Horatio Pollard worked together to record the experimental electronic work that is Backpfeifenphaseshift. Capturing a vast range of sounds and techniques, the seven tracks show a collaboration of well connected musicians all approaching a shared goal, working in flow, and expressing their emotions electronically. While Backpfeifenphaseshift may be hard to put a finger on and pigeonhole, it's easy to play and get lost in, like one of the vocal ghosts in this album's machine.

 

2FAC and Pollard meld together on their collaboration and their movement forward, sideways, up, and down is always in step and entwined. Starting off with the aptly named "Reservoir," "water" droplets echo to form a growing puddle of synthesized sound, rippling with each drop, and somehow ebbing and flowing like the tide. Haunting vocals fill in the background, like sirens luring the listener closer to pull them into the watery depths. This is followed by "Through a Glass Lozenge," which is a markedly more frantic piece that utilizes some similar sounds as the previous song, but arranged in a very different structure. Layers of sound pile up and begin to intertwine, leaving the listener with a tense, thick tapestry of sound. Amping up the weirdness, "Nonconsensual Tesselation" focuses more on vocal work as an instrument alongside staccato drum hits and synth notes over a warbling background. This warbling and oscillation is carried forth on "Aphid Disco" and is given more reign in the sound. Higher pitched tones help to add to the insect vibe from the title, all the while getting harsher and nastier. Moaning and screeching onto "Thick Strand Universe" brings along a really cool little rhythm to entrance the listener before hitting its own Big Bang and expanding out into chaos."Band of Reflection" helps to bring the album back into a slower, more sparse realm before "Ghost Bruise" churns forth with some haunting industrial to close out the album.

 

More than a mouthful, Two Form A Click Vs Horacio Pollard's Backpfeifenphaseshift is an intriguing mix of styles and sounds very loosely arranged but very certainly with a purpose. The titles give a fair approximation of the sounds contained on each track, and the listener would do well by repeating each to pick the layers further apart. With cover art showcasing enough equipment to make any gearhead go gaga, the sounds within are interesting and evocative and worthy of a listen. To find out more.