Review Summary: Cheese Cowboy!
It's a peculiar thing that we, as humans/ individuals/ consumers, seem to prefer things that are homemade. We like to know that it wasn't produced by robots for the express purpose of gaining money, instead of making us happy. We look for little imperfections, unique traits or a kind of cozy, rustic aesthetic. Robag Wruhme's second solo LP walks along this line: infusing minimalist techno with ambient warmth alongside generous splatterings of house and jazz.
Thora Vukk doesn't so much vibrate your ear drums as caress them. Creative sampling from shutting draws to mumbling children is woven into fleeting piano loops and an ambient haze. Tracks will meander around with no huge change in temperament, with segments easing slowly into each other. A lullaby affair, by all standards, yet one steeped in melancholic introspection in that the tone isn't peaceful. Instead it's politely content, too complex to be peaceful alone. The album is prone to techno/house outbursts, for instance, though it would be a stretch to say that these inspire much energy. Instead they act as brief palette cleansers before
Thora Vukk sinks back in to the ambiance.
Despite the album evolving rather slowly, it's the individual loops or samples which really complete
Thora Vukk. Wruhme clearly has an ear for soft breakdowns, as it's when the music sluggishly unfurls, as witnessed in the closing moments of
Prognosen Bomm, that the album reaches a zen-like level of beauty. Similarly the integration of vocal samples in
Tulpa Ovi ad
Ende helps to give
Thora Vukk a distinct human element.
It's a rare occurrence to listen to an album with such a great ability to connect with the listener. It sits so comfortably that any stress or predisposition is put to rest. Relaxing but incredibly dense at the same time,
Thora Vukk is effortless, graceful and lovely. Put all thoughts to rest and listen.
