Music for Objects

Considered the companion piece to the Montreal musician's 2012 EP Exercises, CFCF's 2013 EP Music for Objects also explores "the lighter side of our relationship with our surroundings," but what a difference a year makes. Perhaps CFCF man Michael Silver considers objects much more intricate and busy than exercises, or maybe his skills with laptops, keyboards, and recording studios have all doubled, but from the opening "Glass," things get wonderfully heady. The diminutive stance of Exercises returns as Silver represents the object with delicate, glassy piano lines, which are Glass-y piano lines as well, as the minimalist composer is honored with filigrees that repeat and repeat as a Koyaanisqatsi-esque swell builds underneath. Being a small, kinetic piano workout with clouds of synth passing through, "Lamp" could be influenced by another minimalist, Steve Reich, but much of the rest of the album will remind listeners of Ryuichi Sakamoto's instrumental work, especially the chime-filled and stately "Turnstile," which sounds like an outtake from the Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence soundtrack. Bleepy, bouncy, and funky IDM is the stuff that makes Silver think of "Keys," as the hustling and bustling cut suggests travel, and in every direction. "Ring" is precious and "Perfume" is intoxicating, while "Camera" is harder to interpret as saxophones echo and dissolve as an ancient drum machine pounds a beat underneath. Is it nostalgia or frozen moments that Silver is suggesting? Either way, Music for Objects is a fine listen, offering CFCF fans the restrained, smart music they crave. But don't expect the usual simplicity, as Silver could now easily be argued into the neo-classical section of any record store or download outlet.