- One of the best things about Can You Pass The Knife? is its hybridity: the Middle Eastern origins are apparent, but so are the Western pop and new wave influences. It's also charmingly crude and unkempt, sounding like some homespun curiosity not quite from our time or space. It makes for an endearing package of modern Israeli electronic music.
This is the most extensive release from Tel Aviv artist Nadav Spiegel, who has been producing and performing live as Autarkic over the last few years. In his previous two Disco Halal edits, he stoked the "habibi house" sound alongside Naduve of the 84% Creativity crew, Red Axes, RaBo & SnoB and Disco Halal boss Moscoman, who are all Tel Aviv natives as well. Then, for Golf Channel, he delivered something more aligned with coldwave, which blew hot and cold and felt less affixed to the floor. Can You Pass The Knife? sits between Spiegel's previous work, injecting more of an Eastern flavour into his smokey pop.
With the simple setup of a few synths, an Octatrack, some percussion, pedal effects and an old mixer, Can You Pass The Knife? sounds refreshingly lo-fi and playful. And it's the record's one-man-band appeal that sticks with you. Saying that, you're never too far from some sort of sample or electronic anchor that's rooted in the dance floor. From the quirky festival singalong of "Watch Out," to the more outlandish and funky "The Misorientation of Autarkic," or the wistful blues of "UFO (Space Version)," Can You Pass The Knife? is a kaleidoscopic trip that feels both exotic and familiar.
TracklistA1. Asi Keta Ga
A2. Solo Gun
A3. Watch Out
B1 The Misorientation Of Autarkic
B2 UFO" (Space Version)
B3 Tender Lies