I discovered Splitter almost two years ago when, surfing the net looking for the song Lost At Sea of Radiohead, I accidentally founded an album with the same title – I then found out that that song inspired the album title. That day I started diving into the Splitter’s music world and, in case you don’t know about it, I do invite you to start listening to this music that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Splitter is a young solo project – it has been around since 2010 – of a young musician - just nineteen years old! - born in Bremen, Germany. The discography of Splitter is composed by three interesting albums of ambient, electronic and experimental music with elements of techno. Next November 2013 Splitter is going to release the fourth album titled Thea that will be also the first one with a CD release thanks to the well know label Finaltune Records.
Thea is not different from the previous works of Splitter but the most interesting thing is that this new huge album – 14 tracks for a musical experience spread over a bit more than one hour - has so many different styles inside. Some tracks will remember you the sound of my beloved Arms and Sleepers and Radiohead – ‘Sleeping’ is an example of what I’m saying – meanwhile some other tracks will bring you to a music world that is close to the best Aphex Twin’s techno – just listen to ‘The Belt Of Venus (ECET 6°)’ and you won’t have any doubt about that.
This powerful mix demonstrates the capabilities of Splitter and, for me, is the beauty of this album that has a lot in it. The wide range of sounds makes it an album that can be the soundtrack of your day life cause if offers the right sound for each moment.
The album opens up in a very original way with the short ‘Change The Situation’ where the repeated and echoing vocal say continuously “change the situation” that softly dissolve into the following ‘Trabantenstadt’ dominated by a sequence of clunky rhythms and dum-dum melodies.
IDM, downtempo and electronic moments are the ones represented by songs like ‘Sleeping’ and ‘The First December’ that have a much more cogitative feel. Their characteristic are the standup bass and the ethereal vocals that brings you in a soft and mellow mood. With amazing orchestration, this sound picks up the drum beat without losing the original feel of the song, also adding background synth strings.
‘The Belt Of Venus (ECET 6°)’ and ‘Concrete Jungle’ are more techno songs that will please your need to fly away, far away. The rhythm is so involving and the sound is so good that you cannot avoid the dance floor. In the same way I’m sure you’ll like the suspended atmosphere of the start of ‘1977-084A’ before the beat starts coming from everywhere and the traditional ambient music meets the electronic in perfect balance.
Splitter never stops exploring and experimenting and among the several gems of the album there’s the deep and intense ‘Ísland’ that is a proof of his notable artistry. Stunning atmosphere. Whit his wonderful attention to details this young and talented German musician has been able to create so many small and noticeable details in a large composition never being repetitive and avoiding the risk to bother the listener.
The talent displayed by Splitter is notable and Thea is an enjoyable album and a very interesting music experience.
Thea will be released on November 8th 2013 in audio CD and digital download through Finaltune Records.
