Jatoma Jatoma (Kompakt)
4/5
By: Theo Krekis
If you’re expecting big drops, climactic builds, or ‘show us your bass face’ moments, you’re listening to the wrong record, as these 13 tracks from Jatoma take you on a somewhat psychedelic trip into a whimsical state of mind. They’re experimenting with electronic sounds in a manner which may transport the less stable minded to a make believe world where talking to a sea horse in a skirt would seem like a normal Thursday morning activity.
This self titled album does more than just encourage a dreamlike state though; it reinforces the notion that artists are no longer restricted to the use of conventional instruments when it comes to making truly gripping music. Gone are the days where strumming out a few chords on the guitar or hitting a couple of keys on the piano was the only method of song writing, and it’s this versatility and diversity in sound which is at the forefront of modern day music - a place Jatoma comfortably reside in.
Elements of Four Tet, Stimming and a string of artists from Border Community Records label such as James Holden and Nathan Fake can be detected in Jatoma; minimal electronic melodies coated with distorted futuristic sounds which at times might sound like a television screen fuzzing violently, but at others allow you to unwind and slip into a state of somnabulance, rhythmically tapping your hand to the intrinsic beats.
The opening number to this album is slightly reminiscent of Nathan Fake’s ‘Stops’ from his debut album Drowning In A Sea of Love, a mellow number easing you into the feel and mood of the record, where tracks like ‘Paper Light’s and ‘Helix’ reward with their increased tempo. Of course, you need to expect, tolerate and eventually learn to love the heavily experimental tracks like ‘Smoking Keys’, which is made up what can only be described as a broken alarm bell ringing in staggered successions. Try not to stamp on your iPod – if you’re brave enough to not click the skip button, there’s a lot of intrigue to moments such as these.
Jatoma comes recommended to anyone into the more triptastically experimental side of minimal electronic based beats – and highly recommended to anyone who’s curious as to just what that might entail.
Artists in this article: Jatoma
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