Marta Mist – Windows
Marta Mist – Windows
I once entered the artist name worriedaboutsatan into the Live Plasma music dB/generator, curious to see which other spirits the AI considered kindred to Gavin Millers ghostly IDM project.
Answer. Nobody.
No peers were identified for worriedaboutsatan. Instead I was left looking at one solitary bubble. Now this is probably due to a lack of algorithmic data. However, any disappointment I experienced quickly turned to glee. In my mind the machine simply thought exactly like me. ‘Nope, forget it. This guy is unique!’
I now find myself wondering similarly about Marta Mist, Millers more downtempo collaboration with Sophie Green. Windows is a hugely impressive piece of work. The opening track here is a cloistered dronescape which serves principally to insert the listener into the album. ‘Come on, mate’, it could be saying to us, except in Miller and Greens more refined parlance it’s Allons-y Mon Ami!
I needed no second invitation.
The ensuing long player reveals itself in spectacular style. Patches might be my favourite composition right now, though I suspect that’s going to evolve with each and every new listen…
… of which there will doubtless be many.
The music of Marta Mist is playful and accessible at its forefront, but sombre and ominous in the background. Patches is jazzy with its high hats and exploratory vibe. Puzzle is equally pleasing. I am put somewhat in mind of Dif Juz, one of 4ADs most revered obscurities. Marta Mist don’t have quite the same dub leanings as Dif Juz but they do inhabit similar landscapes. They’re a looser Labradford, a becalmed Bark Psychosis.
So, there’s your plasma comparison right there folks. Dif Juz, Bark Psychosis and all points north. Never trust an AI when you have a Spaceman. It all ends in the serenest of vistas reminiscent of label-mates yellow6. Except it doesn’t end because I’m pressing play again. This is really quite excellent.
Offered to us on the Sound In Silence label, we can expect more of the same handmade, DIY ethic – a limited, numbered series of CDs with download codes and inlays.