The Idealist - Extended Player

Swedish producer Joachim Nordwall re-engages his The Idealist moniker for an immaculate five track set of grey-scale, dub-bent minimal techno heaters. Nordwall has a lengthy credits sheet in the noise/drone world, having worked with such notables as Mika Vainio, Mats Gustafsson, John Duncan and more, but out on his own as The Idealist he shifts the focus back to his roots in the club, albeit with a focus still very much on the experimental. The connection with Vainio makes a lot of sense here, particularly in reference to Pan Sonic, sharing as it does a similar interest in the abrasive and the industrial. Opener, 'Statement', is also the kind of low-key, monochrome flex you expect Berceuse Herioque or even Blackest Ever Black to have turned out in their prime - think Ossia or Pessimist at their most artfully restrained - while there's a snowplain iciness to the whole affair reminiscent of Civiilisjavel at their most agitated (ie not very, but moody enough to not wanna be caught staring). They've called this one an EP, but don't be mislead - there's enough going on here to satisfy album status. Subtle, astutely rendered menace. Can't beat it.