Autistici - Familiarity Folded

 Released: July 25

Familiarity Folded represents the first entry in what is to be a three part series of collaboration between Autistici and several other artists. It involves complex remixing of previously recorded material, not necessarily from full compositions, but engaging small pieces of sound with one another in intricate ways. The result of this thoroughly enmeshed sonic collaboration, at least in this first entry, is a series of tracks that feel like winding aural labyrinths that excite and entrance. There’s a variety of sounds at work, but they all feel as though they have been placed in a specifically treated place - a room that was made almost specially for them. The first track, “Fluctuating State,” feels minimalist on the surface while a much closer listen reveals a wealth of tiny sounds swimming under the surface. Soft and indiscernible whispers, minute  clicks, and soft tonal shiftings all come together to create a soundscape that hides its complexity for those willing to listen closely enough to experience it. 

This kind of dynamic becomes the primary theme of the album. This motif of the minute sounds being enveloped in the more obvious, requiring the listener to really put themselves into it fully to experience the full depth of the compositions. It’s truly a remarkable bit of layering that lets each piece of it exist in seemingly its own space. It can be beautifully disorienting at times and wonderfully calming at others. I found the final track in this collection of four to be among the most enveloping as it begins with the apparent and present pads, which slowly fade away as the song slowly transforms into the quiet atmospheric clicks and pops with those full but slightly cold pads pull away from the mix. This is definitely a low lit room and headphones kind of album, one that is filled with all the soft ear candy you could want.