N.LN - "Astronomy For Children"

This post appeared on Igloomag.com in January 2004.


n.ln - astronomy for children

From the shady side of a San Francisco street, n.ln brings in both a ray of light and a cool breeze with its new album, "Astronomy For Children." This is the solo project from Nyles Lannon, of Frisco shoegazers Film School, and its an astounding collection of chilled beats and relaxed atmospherics.
This is best evidenced in "4 Little Fires," a snarky little beast of a track with a loping beat and a what sounds like a processed backwards guitar track that really hovers over everything else in the mix, guiding and protecting it. It comes off like what Global Communication should be doing now, if they were still active.
"Spoke Words" continues the wonderful ambience, all cathedral chords and echoing reverb, like a vintage Fax release. A shuffling snare beat comes in and provides a needed momentum, and then some dsp/glitch sounds arrive to bring it all home. Very nice.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said about this release is that it does not sound like the standard crop of idm artists working today. This is a collection of melodic electronic music whose influences are worn on its sleeve. Overall, an excellent release.