Mnemosyne

For their 2015 full-length Mnemosyne, Berlin-based duo Lumisokea eased up on the abrasive, bass-heavy textures of some of their earlier work, focusing more on space and tension rather than distorted beat-mangling. The album was based on improvisations recorded on a collection of vintage synthesizers at Rotterdam's W.O.R.M. studios; the duo combined these recordings with acoustic instruments such as gamelan bells, prepared piano, and cello in order to craft this album. The disc recalls the "acoustic doom" of Deaf Center as well as electro-acoustic pioneers such as Tod Dockstader and Iannis Xenakis, with a slight touch of modern bass music culture, as light cello scrapes are augmented with dusty drum machine ticks and sparse, unsettling vibrations. Tracks such as "Jenseits" even recall the more outré moments of industrial groups such as Throbbing Gristle, with swarming, buzzing tones and minimal rhythms. The album isn't as overwhelming as some of Lumisokea's recordings, but it's still a gripping, intriguing listen.