Aquarius Records

Coming out of the same Finnish scene that spawned AQ-faves Circle and Ektroverde, Es is the work of Sami Sanpakkila, who in addition to this solo project, also plays in various bands like Kiila and Velvolino. He also runs Fonal records. (I guess all that is how he keeps himself busy during those long cold dark winters). His previous disc, Flick, was guitar-based, a beautiful, psychedelic (in a modern way) guitar-electronics meditation. For "A Love Cycle" he focuses not on guitar but on the use of loops from scratchy old records, reminding us very strongly of the work of AQ-fave Philip Jeck! It's a very pretty and hypnotic album, also very melancholic and at points darkly ominous. The record crackle is a real presence, its sound seemingly as significant as the music in the looped records' grooves. On one track this vinyl hum is joined by a female's humming vocals, and on others Sami layers synth and beats over the loops. A Love Cycle conjures up an inviting and mysterious soundworld. Very nice.

Allan / Aquarius Records