Element Kuuda - Le Village
[Magnanimous Records]

Despite its Tolkein-esque artwork, “Le Village” is not a folkish paean to Middle Earth. Instead, Montreal-based Element Kuuda (that’s Christian Richer to his friends and family) blends field recordings, subtle synths, wind instruments and stuttering electronics to create an organic sound that at times, comes across like a snapshot of German pioneers Tangerine Dream.

The element of water seems integral to “Le Village’s” flow; it runs through it like a steady stream, passing through several tracks. At odds with the fast-paced nature of today’s society, “Le Village” possesses an earthy sensibility that creates an atmosphere of isolation.

There aren’t any particularly memorable melody hooks or, indeed, any lavish song structures, but when subtle vocals and gorgeous clarinet sounds crop up in tracks like “La Civilization Le Village”, it serves to create an intriguing listen. Despite a tendency to meander into the abstract on occasion, Element Kuuda’s organic ambient sound design comes recommended.

Le Village Track Listing:

1. Extrait : La Trache
2. La Tempete
3. Le Grand Heron
4. Le Ruisseau
5. Le Civilisation : Le Village