Stefan Goldmann — The Trasitory State
Stefan Goldmann is a well respected Berlin based electroncia artist /Dj and this is his first full length release after releasing various singles and 12 inch’s since the early 2000’s. And what makes this so compelling, different and distinct is the surprising and highly creative elements Goldmann mixes in with his beat making, electro extures and synth throbs. Take the opener of disk one Lunatic Fringe which starts off with tight techno stabs before Goldmann places a haunting female choral choir work over the top, which in theory shouldn’t work but mangers to be both beautiful, ancient yet crisply modern at the sametime. Or also from disk one Radiant grace which brings together upfront and tight clear electric 80’s guitar strum groove, string swoons, cinematic wind hits and slick beat making- with funky synth bass edging in towards the end. Really Through-out both disk’s Goldmann stagers and surprisers with his pure sonic invention.
It works out that the first disk is more beat bound and the second is almost beat-less and a mix of ambience, shifting synth scapes, surreal electronic sounds & field recording elements. With each track rather slipping into the next so it has more of the feel of a long form track instead of the more separate track feel of the first disk. And it’s just a rewarding with Goldmann building up great strange atmosphers weaved with jarring elements and sonic surprises.
All in all a superbly inventive collection of electronica which is one of the more original, re-listenable electronic albums in recent memory and certainly one of the top electronic albums of this year. Really if you enjoy electronic muisc in any of its many forms you need this.