Audiobulb Records (Various) Intricate Maximals

Audiobulb Records Intricate Maximals provides an extensive portfolio of IDM, microsound, glitched up guitar acoustics ambience and groove. Intricate Maximals follows on from the superlative switches with a denser sound, multi-layered constructions and electronic abstract conceptualisation. At 79 minutes and 18 tracks the album runs an extensive course with attention to the flow and form of the overall story. Ambience builds into constructed rhythms that in turn build into frenetic beats; each track represents an ebb and flow in the overall multi-faceted story.

Autistici creates a rich opener with a dense early morning hazy ambience. The texture is deep, with the sound of nature, birds and wolves positioned far into the warm textural elements. Prhizzm cuts and crunches and builds into a great bass groove. Calika's 'latticel work' is an astounding example of electroacoustic elements, underpinned with a deep dub groove, intricate glitched percussion work and found sound. Marion produces 'un peopled' a work containing Warp style melodics and a cut and drill rhythm section. Cedar A.V. includes the contribution of Erik Schoster a.k.a. He Can Jog and the consistent command of structure and form is plain to see. Prickling with acoustic tension before striking hits and dynamic hip-hop drums burst through with frenetic energy. Taavi Tulev provides a straight IDM lesson in well-constructed beats and evocative ambience.

Diagram of Suburban Chaos returns in remixed form in the cut-up organic sounding 'so gone'. The ambience is beautiful complete with deep resounding heartbeats and tiny details. Then the beat clicks and cuts in interspersed with vocal utterances and electronic interjections. Claudia provides a brief but charming interlude with the aptly names 'pausing (as if unsure)'. Minute sounds are placed in a rhythmic order - whirling and resolving across the sound spectrum. Unscan brings back the IDM vibe with a rattling track with gorgeous percussion and a tune that infiltrates the listeners head. Disastrato brings a unique madness to the proceedings - a compelling mesh of sliced up audio and beats. Effacer's incomprehensible track title hides a highly charged static ambience and ethnic percussion.

Ochre is a master of compositional sequences. The detail in 'shiverbox' is astounding as the sound shakes into life finding a broken groove and an expanding melodic line. Room's tiny 'percule extract' clears and cleans the head with hydraulic air machinery and twinkling micro-ambience. Jason Rex's 'qualm' delivers and consistent slab of IDM with a solid backbone and a hissing and crackling top layer. Build shimmers with elements from acoustic guitars and harmonicas to electronic ambience and broken percussive hits. An unusual composition delivered with elegance. Kuffer's 'question' continues with where he left off in Switches - deep glitch groove produced from an unknown and beautifully broken machine. Robin Judge and OTI finish off the album with a gentle theme, moving from microsound clicks and cuts to psychedelic ambience.

Filled with diversity and detail, Intricate Maximals delivers enough quantity and quality to engage the listener for many repeat plays.