from bulgaria via guildford comes this killer ep from the much
slept-on esem. like much of the defocus stable, his sound is heavily
influenced by the likes of plaid and aphex. stand out cuts on this
six-tracker are the title track, with its warm strings and delicate
piano, and the irresistibly beautiful qre.ii which is so moving and
infectious that you`ll find yourself playing it over and over
international dj
still comparable to the usual suspects aphex & black dog, etc.,
bulgaria’s esem updates the comparison underpinning none too twee
melodies with beats of substance and integrity. as mentioned, the
shadows of past/present electronic greats still haunt, although it’s a
clarity that exists within that separates it from limp background wash
to more inviting deep textures that tickle and excite. a missing link
between nu school click, offbeat and rhythmical ambience
dj
the quintessence of this 6 track 12” is one of warm reflection, where
one has room to breathe, floating along the soft ambience of the catchy
beat structures and echoing progression of simple keys and melancholic strings.
each track forms its own little vignette of a soundscape, following no
particular direction; and yet the quiet beginnings and ends meld
together cohesively in this determined aimlessness, allowing for brief
interlude from work, or a pleasant backdrop for reverie.
erik mcguire
Esem: Ikae (DeFocus) Yes, DeFocus have done it again, delivering six
- count em! - cuts of the most sublimely sensuous electronic music,
this time from Bulgarian producer Esem. Although he only began making
music in the mid nineties, this EP bears all the hall marks of someone
who has been composing deep electronic music for much longer; Qre
and Eloki weave brittle, fragile beats into the pretty melodies,
while the chiming riffs of Redskin dispense with the need for fracture beats.
etronik
Herzig perlende Plinkertracks fur Liebhaber des weich blubbernden
Micrososmos IDM, versetzt mit scharfen Hiphop Breaks und etwas gruftigen
Weiten aus kitschig verhallenden Sounds. Sechs Tracks mit ein wenig
zuviel Hang zu Arpeggios oder Dingen, die klingen wie Arpeggios nicht
klingen sollten. Wer allerdings auf diesen Sound steht, der wird das
lieben, weil so wuselig weichzeichnerisch schn.belnd piepsig.
de:bug
This is a great 12" prelude to the upcoming full length on Defocus.
Very fresh-sounding and smooth electronica.
purist online
Absolutely outstanding new release on Focus.
Esem delivers six tracks of sublime electronics - from the beautiful to the deep and haunting.
Electronica of the highest order - and no mistake!!!
Smallfish
beautiful lush electronicness; and all six tracks are top top quality
idmlist