Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

SIAN - Setting/Another [Iris Light - 2016]

In their ongoing campaign of re-releasing hard to find and out of print AUBE albums, Iris Light have done their best to keep the public (well, the noise listening public, at least) reminded of the brilliance of Akifumi Nakajima. As a surprise to AUBE fans, Iris Light has released Nakajima's SIAN project. Recently discovered after nineteen years, Setting/Another shows AUBE's more restrained side. Still harnessing all the creativity and wonderful experimentalism he was known for, SIAN's Setting/Another will be a welcome release for fans of AUBE's catalog.

Consisting of three, long-form tracks, Setting/Another is a light journey though electronics led by Nakajima and his synths. AUBE had made a career out of using interesting and non-traditional source material, so for fans expecting something along those lines, they should look elsewhere. That's not to say, though, that the ~55 minute run time is not interesting. Drifting, spacey reverb and light, shimmering delays add a very ethereal quality to the artificial tones presented. Long, drawn out reverberations ebb and flow like a sort of metallic smoke on an equally alien sky. While airborne, somewhat contemplative notes repeat in the distance before squiggly phasers streak into view. Returning from the ether, watery chimes loop and draw the listener in like a siren and her gorgeous call. Safely tied to the mast, the listener is able to experience the full scope of this rising, falling, hypnotic action. The notes pass the zero line and are soon under the surface, low, and resonant, before cresting again and heading for the skies. Air and water are both very fluid, and this amorphous quality disappears at the beginning of "Setting II." Crunching like an insect next, the quick oscillations stand in quiet a contrast from the preceding forty minutes. Long, low, pained tones extend this synthy exercise before "Setting II" joins the previous tracks in ethereal bliss.

Light, airy, and unexpected, Akifumi Nakajima's SIAN project finally sees the (iris) light of day after being lost for nineteen years. While playing a more traditional role wasn't always Nakajima's game, he shows that he was truly a talent and could handle any kind of music he wanted. Although different from the rest of AUBE's catalog, Setting/Another is a lovely addition and another testament to Nakajima's ability.

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Paul Casey
Latest Reviews

SIAN - Setting/Another
In their ongoing campaign of re-releasing hard to find and out of print AUBE albums, Iris Light have done their best to keep the public (well, the noise list...
280324   Typhoon Club - Typhoon Club(B...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
220324   Patrick - Patrick( UHD/ Blu Ray)
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom