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Russian independent label Shaped Harmonics presents a new release introducing the creative works of Alexander Gladun, resident of Kiev, Ukraine. The album Contiguity
is his debut work within the project called Dunaewsky 69. But by no means is this the start of the artist's creative development. A long creative search and experiments in
different styles of music are already behind his shoulders. Musical past of Alexander is strongly connected with hard music and styles like grind core, death metal, noise,
noise core. He's been playing in such bands as HAIMORITH and Outer Orgasm, and this pastime of "happy, hard and spontaneously recorded music" was resulted in
joint release with CSSO - a band from Japan.
At the beginning Dunaewsky 69 was conceived as a project for analogue noise music, but gradually the artist has moved to idm / braindance areas. As a result, comes
the album Contiguity, presenting material which may be surprising for people who already familiar with previous musical output of Alexander Gladun. This CD is full of light
atmospheric melodies and simple beats, floating in the air and constantly wrapping listener in warm and cosy blanket of sounds, providing great environment for
dreaming.
Reviews
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Staalplaat/Vital::
Some time ago the label Shaped Harmonics was run by Novel 23 and
Ambidextrous, both known and important figures from the Russian new
stream of melodic idm influenced music, but now the label is run only
by the melodic craftsman Novel 23. On this album release all tracks
are written and produced by Dunaewsky69, that's Alex Gladun, another
unknown Russian artist who makes classy music in the melodic style.
It's definitely not typical idm, that's for sure, but nevertheless
the songs are still pretty much classic and conventional, with
influences from few styles and genres. The general impression is that
the artist is trying to achieve the melodic moments with more firm
and concrete sound, like Novel 23's album on Bip Hop. Dunaewsky69
probably uses some old Russian analog synthesizers too, I guess. I'd
compare this music with the more energetic tracks from Ulrich
Schnauss, this time going into shoegaze-idm direction maybe? Shoegaze
with synths, not guitar distorsion, even though the guitar (alike)
sound is present here from time to time. Also, there's blurry
drum'n'bass rhythm in one track called Hilli Jona, and the rhythm is
very much pointed out everytime. The synths add an electro flavour
sometime, Solvent alike, as in the second track Haresh with it's
intensively developing atmosphere and more harsher. Maybe the rhythm
is too narrow sometime, as in Luo, when it sounds like it's played
with drums, but it's still programed. In all the tracks all these
elements are arranged in different ways and they make different
shapes of the songs. So, you can choose your favourites. One of mine
this time is Wyky.
Boban Ristevski
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Tesselate::
The opening guitar line of 'altered states' that starts off 'contiguity' lets us know that this is not a standard-'idm' affair. Although laced with a little delay, there is no excessive dsp-fuckery or 9 minutes of digital noodling to be found here, 'contiguity' is a very song oriented album, with heavy attention paid to melody and traditional construction. There's nothing that tries to turn your brain into a ballbearing while a million sonic paperclips dance around your ears, a curse which has stricken one too many autechre-rip offs these days, I think.
Tracks like the electric piano laden "wyky", my personal favourite, remind me of a small European ghost exlporing a isolated church, and finding that although it's a bit intimidating at first, it's really an awesome place for a small ghost to hang out. That's right. There is a definitive sound to the whole album, it's a simple blend of electric piano, straight-up punchy beats, rough 8bit-ish basslines and atmospheric guitar. It's a blend that I like very much. This album doesn't try to be challenging, it's simple and fun, but at the same time there is a slightly darker and more chilling undertone to all of the tracks, the two elements contrasting perfectly all the way through.
Old duneaewsky isn't afraid to let things get a bit heavier either, the second track 'haresh' for example, with its sharp, noisy beat does stand out a bit as being a bit more hardcore than the rest, but by containing the familiar bass and icy synths of the other tracks it still works well. Compare it to 'hilli jona', which although being quite a conversely delicate construction, still utilises the same synths to great effect.
'contiguity' is the first thing I have heard from the russian producer, and I found it extremely refreshing and enjoyable. dunaewsky69's work seems somehow cold and warm at the same time, and it's great to hear something that still has a relatively unique sound and still gives a nod to traditional songwriting today.
Recommended. 8/10
Des
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Sutemos::
A Russian Shaped Harmonics label that was founded by a well known Roman Belousov aka Novel 23 presents us debut album of Dunaewsky 69 called Contiguity. D69 is Alexander Gladun from Kiev (Ukraine). There is no more information available on him but we don't need it anyway because his fantastic album speaks instead of him. I don't know how such musicians are born but they do surprise me when their debut album outruns the artists that have released 3 or 4 albums already. We are used to getting better with each day and no one is born perfect so every in work or art we do first steps are like trial, game or search. D69 denies all the stereotypes and serves us a very quality work (although it isn't very innovative).
Contiguity is one the first idm/electronic albums that does not have the colours of eastern electronica in it. It is completely different from the stuff we are used to hear in the albums that come from Russia/Ukraine. I don't know what or who has influenced Alexander Gladun but finally there is an artist who has managed to escape the style of e-music that has been formed through several years. That is good although the unique identification card (ID) is lost. But possibly the new style is born. Forget the past eastern block musical style. The world was crazy about ru.electronic conception for a few years but I think it is already standing in one place for some time and the need to penetrate the western sound was essential. I think you will agree that the stuff that does not change becomes boring, pales and plays out. Dunaewsky 69 has changed my understanding about the eastern music by 180 degrees. I was delighted when I heard this miracle. It is so laconic and simple that it surprises. Its airiness, clarity and monotony reminds me of Ulrich Schnauss in some tracks. But D69 is heavier. Few tracks are too strict and do not fit the whole context of the album but everything else is simply unique. Altered States (rem), Luo, Wyky, Shkaf, Hojui456321 are built in a very sincere and simple manner. They won't surprise you with their technical delicacy and innovation. They can only surprise you with their delicate clarity, simple rhythm and emotional moods that are hidden between various backgrounds. Very colourful and strong. Sometimes it is fun to listen to the album that has no secrets.
Very Good!
Rating: 10
Daumantas
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