Vagrant — IV

IV is the first physical release from Vagrant- the  new ‘static noise meets techno’ project from respected & high prolific French noise maker Julien Skrobek. The release comes in the form of a CDR, and offers up two eighteen minute tracks.

Both tracks here a very stark & stripped back examples of taut noise making, that blend together lo-level static texturing with a fixed yet distanced techno-beat structure. The first untitled track is centred on the following elements: a  fixed, stabbing, yet blunt techno beat chugg. And a  constricted line of static crackling pattern-nation. These  two elements are fed together to create highly disciplined, grey, and barrenly stomping track, which seems continually chomping away at you in a deeply stark & clinical manner.

The second track further deepens the constricted, cold & compressed vibe- as it brings together: a thin & wall thumbing beat, a line of circular yet beaded crackle,  a fixed aquatic bubbling, and a reduced wind storm static grain billow. These elements come together to create a starkly compelling work, which is layer rewarding in its detail.  I really do like the blend of unrelenting thumbing, and locked down organic/ aquatic feasting this track offers up, and I’d say it’s my favourite of the two tracks here.

IV is a incredible disciplined & coldly focused release, which shows Skrobek further pushing the envelope on what’s seen as static texturing/ walled noise. This is one for those who enjoy either more progressive takes on the static noise genre, or blunt & locked down beat-making with a extremely barren & cold vibe- I look forward to hearing more from this project in the future.