Zoon van snooK

Born in Belgium, raised in Brighton and currently based in Barcelona, producer Alec Snook is a worldly fellow. Always expanding his horizons, sophomore album The Bridge Between Life and Death was built in the shadow of Iceland, using field recordings Snook captured while visiting there in 2009, as well as collaborations with Sin Fang, Benni Hemm Hemm and long-time Sigur Rós string section Amiina. The album demonstrates maturity, growing from the hyperactive wonktronica of 2010's (Falling From) The Nutty Tree to a much more composed, classical electronic sound only heard on "The Two Knives (Cuckoo's Reprise)," from his debut, which is fluidly incorporated into his aesthetic. The music no longer comes off as being weird for the sake of, but thoroughly thoughtful. Of course, Snook's sense of humour is still apparent, particularly with a layer of snoring and sparse laughter placed beneath the wistful "Snorri's Saga," but the overall feel of the album is far more contemplative, underpinned by lush strings, plaintive piano and organic beats. The Bridge Between Life and Death is honest, true to who Snook is as an artist, which makes it a compelling experience.