Aus - Curveland
[Moteer]

The Moteer label make a welcome return for 2007 and their first release of the year ranks as one of their finest yet. Japanese artist Yasuhiko Fukuzono delivers a beautiful ten-tracker of sugary, vocal-coated electronics under the guise of Aus.

An ethereal, ghost-like vocal courtesy of Cokiyu remains a large part of Curveland's rustic charm - adding an otherwordly feel to the intricate layers of deep, mesmering clicks and frosty synths. While on paper this may sound like the kind of material Mum produce, only one song entitled Microhouse shares a similar feel thanks to the elf-like nature of the singing. The rest of the vocal tracks remain distinctive and devoid of comparisions.

But it's not just the vocal-led pieces where Curveland shines; take the opening number Lied for example, with it's underlying choppy percussive clicks, dusty piano notes and windswept chimes. It's the kind of warm, organic electronica we've come to love from Expanding Records. Pui Pui looks back to the deep rhythmic clicks and cuts of Dub Tractor and Opiate, yet the beat-free affair of Apt is the most striking ambient track of the year.

With Curveland, Aus has crafted an album full of rich depths and textures, while evoking vast amounts of emotion. It's also an album you'll undoubtedly find yourself looking into on repeated occasions.

Curveland Track Listing:

01. Lied
02. Mayonka No Sukima
03. With Rain
04. Pui Pui
05. Curve
06. Tejina
07. Apt
08. Microhouse
09. Linier
10. Yoakemae