Civilistjävel! - Brödföda

Civilistjävel!, the project led by Swedish producer Tomas Boden, returns with their fourth release for Glasgow-based imprint FELT and what is undeniably their most ambitious presentation to date. At 75 minutes long, Brödföda represents a substantial amount of work, which in itself is not especially unique for Boden - there have been double records before, and he's certainly a prolific creator, having issued at least ten records and tapes since first (re-)emerging in 2018 - and the trademark sonic murk remains present throughout. Brödföda, then, states its difference within the Civilistjävel! catalogue in a couple of other ways. Firstly, Boden has opened up his vision to include greater collaboration, with contributions here from Laila Sakini, Mayssa Jallad, Thommy Wahlström, ELDON, and Withdrawn, which doesn't alter the minimalist approach so much as adding a few different textures to the presentation. This isn't exactly a Chemical Brothers album, but you might still be surprised to hear ELDON and Withdrawn rap on the fractured, icy Cannibal Ox/Ka referencing 'VIII'. Secondly, the overall Civilistjävel! sound palette feels one step evolved, still slow-motion, still dubwise, still stuck in the bleak midwinter, but the fog has cleared a little, crystalline melodies emerging where previously we might have perhaps only got a deadly slow trudge into the abyss - take in those pretty piano chimes on 'III' or the West Mineral esque glass shimmer of 'XII'. As a hefty double-disc set, Brödföda is a committed statement which doesn't just show it's maker's intention to double down on aesthetic but an openness to new avenues of exploration. Windows are being opened here, though of course it's still an icy cold wind it lets in.