Bjørn Svin – Browen

Simply put each track is constructed from a veritable plethora of squiggly and blurpy noises

Simply put each track is constructed from a veritable plethora of squiggly and blurpy noises


http://www.rump.nu

The blurb on the back of Bjørn Svin’s Browen states: “This record is made with support from the Danish Composer’s Society, Koda’s fund for Social and Cultural Purposes and The Danish Arts Council’s Committee for Music.” Now when I first stuck this CD on I thought it’s either going to be the biggest pile of pretentious nonsense ever, or pretty bloody tremendous.  Happily – despite the “difficult/arty” names each track is given (bowbroW, owW, nobrow should give you an idea of what we’re dealing with here)- I can report that this record is pretty tremendous, though given the highbrow support it’s not exactly the easiest of listens at first sitting.

Simply put each track is constructed from a veritable plethora of squiggly and blurpy noises, noises that in many ways reminds this reviewer of the electronic tape experiments from the early 60’s. There’s an ambient, suggestive element to the LP too; think early Aphex Twin or the more reflective tracks on the Trans Europe Express compilation. Albeit without any obvious structure. Think also the quieter, weirder moments of Radioactivity, exploited and pushed to their sonic limit. I suppose it reminds me most of Anal’s work from the mid-90’s.

Voices and beats eventually appear on the fourth track, nob, and suddenly the pressure increases, though it’s a pressure that can quickly dissipate given the huge spaces the music creates. Indeed, despite all the squiggling and sudden surprises, or the mini raves on tracks like MomWree, it’s a calm, reflective record, displaying a considerable inner peace.

Give it a go.