Valya - two steps forward, two steps back

 

Released: February 23

Being his debut album, Latvian composer Valya’s two steps forward, two steps back is a succinct (if not a bit too brief) introduction to his specifically rafted version of lo-fi experimental ambient compositions. And when I mention lo-fi, I mean it in the most literal of senses rather than a strived for aesthetic. The textures that comprise this album are fully unpolished in a way that gives a certain kind of industrial grime feeling to everything. The percussion here feels thin and basic but is very effective in setting the scenes it occupies, particularly on the second track of this three track jaunt. It is clicky but present, simple in its rhythm but drives the song forward, and the ambient industrial noises that surround it give of the vibe of a barely functioning factory producing who know what kind of materials. It’s definitely a sound I am here for. 

As I said, the EP is rather short with just three tracks, each right around three minutes each. All three maintain this lo-fi industrial aesthetic but the first track stands out as the only one incorporating vocal samples. It’s not clear what the voices are conveying but it adds a layer of confusion and weirdness that gives a more hectic feeling among the less than predictable rhythms. The third track has a similar thing going on but that ever so consistent bass pulse brings an almost horror vibe, feeling very much like a ragged heartbeat in the dark. It’s overall a great little introduction to Valya’s work, I only wish there was a little bit more of it.