Nathan Fake

Sunder

BY Daryl KeatingPublished Feb 21, 2018

8
The fact that Sunder, Nathan Fake's latest EP, was recorded with no post-edits — just left completely as they were recorded, in one take — is impressive in its own right, but the results are more admirable still. As you might imagine, simply pressing record and seeing what happens creates a set of tracks that are a tad rough around the edges, but not nearly as rough as you might think.
 
This is still raw — hell, "Arcaibh" is straight off the bone — but it's still got that trademark Fake ethereality the whole way through. EP highlight "Cloudswept" would actually be a great introductory track for anyone who's unfamiliar with his work. It's got all the elements of his back catalogue present in one seven-minute package: euphoric walls of sound that build endlessly towards the sky, playful squeaks and flurries dotted throughout and a driving beat propping up the entire spectacle. "Serotonin Drops," meanwhile, is a slow coast through the stratosphere, propelled gently by some timid hi-hats and lapping waves of fuzzy delight.
 
Many of us are still absorbing last year's mighty Providence LP, along with the accompanying remix EPs, but Sunder adds even more water to the sponge, serving as yet another reminder that Fake never fails to amaze — even when he's recording on the fly.
(Ninja Tune)

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