- Rod Modell's recent album as DeepChord had some Amsterdam residents impressed with his faithful reproduction of the city's atmosphere. Similarly, enigmatic new project Handahofi seeks to translate Iceland's desolate surface into sound. What better medium than dub techno? The A-side gets represents the country's molten undercurrents. It's nearly ten minutes long, but a throbbing bass patch keeps things moving inexorably forward, a vacillating filter doing most of the work. Gentle hisses of steam and intricate, barely-there hi-hats complete the package. It's disarmingly simple, and yet the seething flow commands attention—especially on the occasions when a meatier, subterranean bassline enters the mix. Above ground, resonant synth work stands in for water and wind. The two form a pleasing contrast; the former composed of clear, trickling notes and the latter of sustained but mild sweeps. While it lacks the growling power of the A-side, there's still a threatening sense of tension. This is mostly created by a tougher kick in place of hand claps or snares. It's beautiful in a bleak sort of way; much like I imagine Iceland to be.
TracklistA Untitled
B Untitled