Newfoundout
mappa editions, 2021
8/10
A true DIY effort, Nick Storring composed, performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered Newfoundout in his home from 2017-2021, and he made good use of acoustic and electromechanical instruments, objects, and treatments, while relying very little on electronic processing.
“Dome” starts the listen with 12+ minutes of adventurousness, where percussive noises, dense ambience and glowing electronic manipulation make an impression, and “Dome Extension” continues this path with rhythmic drumming that nearly lands in tribal territory.
The middle tracks are quite interesting, and include the dreamy landscape of “Khartum”, where a bare intimacy is explored amid intriguing cinematic moments, while “Silver Centre” finds a haunting place to reside that erupts into a buzzing, busy display of sonic prowess.
Arriving near the end, “Vroomanton” offers a dense beat and plenty of atypical alluring and booming sounds, and the title track exits the listen with a surreal backdrop and cascading finish of familiar noisemakers that you just can’t quite place, but want to hear more of.
This is Storring’s 7th album, and it features more emphasis on wind, percussion and atypical ‘instruments’, including a dog whistle and a driver’s license. A listen that’s impossible to categorize, just enjoy it for it is, whether it’s the prog-like moments, psychedelic nods, experimental texturing or seemingly other worldly gestures.
Travels well with: Sally Decker- In The Tender Dream; Jorma Tapio & Kaski- Aliseen