- QST is a vintage ambient project from the Dutch artist Frans De Waard. De Waard has been experimenting with sound for over 30 years, and his discography is intimidating in size. There are plenty of limited edition vinyl runs, cassettes and live recordings for labels most of us have never heard of. De Waard also runs a few labels himself. He calls QST a "failed" attempt at ambient house, which was popular in the UK when he started making it. He used sparse rhythms created from sampled loops, which were paired with dense synths and field recordings.
36811, the first new QST material in about two decades, sounds remarkably different. "6," on the A-side, begins with a sprawling sonic projection of the seaside, with squawking gulls and synths lapping at the shore. The lapping intensifies and transforms into a beat as the water subsides, giving way to one of the clearest rhythms De Waard has released as QST. Prepare to be dancing by the time it gets fully underway. "3" is effervescent techno and good, clean fun, but lacks the depth of previous QST material. The shorter and weirder "8" is closer to the project's original ambient vibe.
TracklistA1 6
A2 11
B1 8
B2 3