Thirtycabminute

The hushed feeling exuded by this sophomore album from Illyah Kuryahkin was probably born out of necessity. Recorded at Dean Wilson's apartment in New York City, the album sounds like it was recorded while trying hard not to disturb the neighbors. But like all worthwhile art, Thirtycabminute makes the most of its limitations, creating out of them its very own idiosyncratic aesthetic. Wilson's whispered vocals draw the listener into his cramped world, only to be shown a vast world of sound. Ambient, Eno-esque textures combine with sparse keys, guitars, and drum brush strokes. Even the horns (which are plentiful) are subdued, smoky, and smooth. There's not a lot of sonic variation among the songs, so they tend to blend together. But taken as a whole, Thirtycabminute is a soothing and sonically rewarding journey.