
None of this changes the fact that See Birds was quite good. And so it came as a welcome surprise when the full-length Wander/Wonder emerged from the detritus as a more mature and ambitious offering from Koone’s Balam Acab. The crowning elements of the aforementioned subgenre all make an experience here- but subtlety is now the name of the game. Yet Wander/Wonder is not so much restrained as it is intently focused on defining a pervasive mood for the listener. On the majority of these eight tracks, Koone has created an aquatic atmosphere as if the album were actually recorded underwater- the only misstep being the overuse of bubbly sounds (a choice a little too “on-the-nose” to begin with for such a refined album). And while this is far from a wholly original concept (both Nicolas Jaar and Panda Bear have recently deployed this technique on their respective LPs), Koone utilizes this imagery as a garnish for vocal samples and tantalizingly strategic beats. With the exception of opener “Welcome”, which uses harsh, scratchy repetition to announce itself, Wander/Wonder lacks the inherent intensity of See Birds. However, that forceful potency has been replaced by a graceful vibe of ambivalence notably attained on “Expect” and “Oh, Why”. And while, due to this, the album ultimately segues into formlessness by its seventh track, “Await”- the closer “Fragile Hope” rescues it from the precipice with a gentle ambient swell that precedes a thunderous bass line. To a certain extent, this is an almost anti-Witch House subgenre of Dubstep. Wander/Wonder feels largely about the awe of the sonic journey as opposed to the possible horror- and Koone makes sure that both discoveries are equally satisfying.
STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE:
10 Balam Acab - Expect by -Rx-
Balam Acab - Oh, Why by Voler
Balam Acab - Fragile Hope by tinyfloaters
- Fr. Jones
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Balam Acab - Oh, Why by Voler
Balam Acab - Fragile Hope by tinyfloaters
- Fr. Jones
(::)::(::)
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