4 out of 5

Label: Discrepant

Produced by: Pierre Bastien (mixed by)

This one gives you more the more you give it.

Pierre Bastien’s works in the 2010s and beyond have often split a couple ways for me, both requiring a bit more patience than the comparatively linear works of his early Rephlex-era material. Those “ways” push his mecano orchestrations toward either more experimental efforts – a big ol’ umbrella term which finds Bastien smashing his tick-tock organism with other genres and artists, and finding their way to songs – or what verges on art for art’s sake collections, which often are live show accompaniment. For the latter, I’m working against my initial judgments of material of that nature, as well as the somewhat shambling construction of those pieces, as I imagine (…having never seen Bastien in concert, that’s what I’m working with) there’s some setup and reconfiguration happening as his bots clang percussion, plunk keys, or toot horns; I’m restless, and poo-pooing the lack of musicality.

…And then, generally some magic happens. Once you’re accepting of the pace and rhythms, Bastien’s works open up immensely. This two-piece set, with each piece having mini-movements as well, fits that bill as well. “Quiet Motors” on side A is almost a post-rock sturm and drang as it begins, then drops into minimalist heartbeats, allowing for a surprising and sullen addition of horn; side B’s “Frantic Motors” is a bit more drastic in its transitions, building from a grooving steady march to something more playful and circus-like, then exploding into proggy, free-jazzy percussion clatter.

While I imagine this is simply mesmerizing live, on album it’s a bit misleading, or confusing, seeming to lose the rhythmic ball as soon as it gets started. But that’s where the relistens come into play: on repeat, the control of Bastien, and the brilliance of his overall approach, is revealed, and the whole piece feels as one: a very engaging cycle of ups and downs, rhythm and chaos.