Gilmer Galibard - Novaturient

  • Deep, hypnotic techno that would make Dozzy proud.
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  • Normally I wouldn't pay much mind to who mastered a record, but the "Mastered By Neel" credit on Novaturient is instructive. From the first few bars of "Novaturient (Rainforest Spiritual Dub)," my mind goes to the verdant bubbling techno brook of Voices From The Lake, and I'll go out on a limb and say that the Gilmer Galibard has made something on par with that project by Neel and Donato Dozzy. It's one of those perfect deep techno tracks that feels more floaty than propulsive, a mix of aquatic sounds, dubbed-out delay effects that ghost across the stereo spectrum and bobbing hand drums. It's more like being in the track instead of listening to one, immersing yourself in a mossy forest where everything around you makes unsettling but intriguing noises. The "Gateway To The Sun Mix" of "Komorebi" is better suited to peak-time, with a slightly serrated lead that pirouettes and pumps like a jellyfish through water. Here, the rhythm section is consistent and heavy, but never overwhelming, as other elements move in orbit around a kick drum as comforting as a heartbeat. Working in a tradition that you'd long think was mastered by other artists is more than a little tricky. While Galibard hasn't quite reinvented the wheel, there's no arguing with Novaturient. If deep, hypnotic techno—what we used to call "headfuck" back in the day—is your thing, then this is an essential record.
RA