- Delicate pop meets foreboding electronics on a compilation exploring different interpretations of vertigo.
- More than just dizziness, vertigo—or vertige, if we're doing it the French way—is an overwhelming sensation. It can make you feel as if you, or everything around you, is spinning, and is often invoked when discussing acrophobia (an extreme fear of heights). On Vertige II, the Parisian label Abîme ruminates on a more abstract interpretation of the word. These tracks consider not only a world in flux, or a life in perpetual spin, but also the act of self-reflection and the highs and lows of love and fear. This is vertigo wrought emotionally as well as physically.
The first Vertige compilation dropped in 2019, setting the series in motion with music from Ytem and Chams (the label's founders) plus the likes of Ptwiggs and Flagalova. On Vertige II, the crew doubles in size to encompass an extended selection of artists. Berlin's GIL features, alongside Lil Asaf, Fauness, Slikback and the returning Abîme artists.
Everyone takes the theme seriously, binding the project together through feeling instead of tempo, genre or aesthetic. This means that dreamy pop melodies from Flagalova and emotional anguish from Sydney's Ptwiggs feel as at home here as an anxiety-inducing club cut from Slikback, or GIL's "Storm Petrel," which unravels pretty much as soon as it starts.
There are voices all over the compilation, helping to establish the compilation's often introspective themes. London's Fauness reflects on times long past on "Am I Ready," addressing memories that may well have been buried for some time. Hajj and Chams' beautiful opener, "Don't Follow Me I'm Falling," features hushed, choral vocals presented alongside soaring synths.Elsewhere, Jordan-based rapper Lil Asaf's casual delivery (a switch-up from his often frenetic style) on "Nasiii" gels with the candlelit trap atmospherics of the production.
This is a contemplative compilation built for deep listening, but not in an overly intellectual way. Though built with a conceptual brief in mind, these tracks are compelling and reflective, with all kinds of perspectives, styles and approaches to the idea of vertigo on display. After listening, you're left feeling like the artists have shared something vulnerable with you, and you alone. It's this sense of exchange between artist and listener that'll keep you coming back.
Tracklist01. Hajj - Don't Follow Me I'm Falling feat. Chams
02. GIL - Storm Petrel
03. Flagalova - Like Nothing
04. Ytem - Eco
05. Ptwiggs - Forever Is Not Enough
06. Lag Switch - Plenilune
07. Chams - Vertigo
08. Slikback - SRT
09. Lil Asaf - Nasiii feat. Achraf
10. Fauness - Am I Ready