John Beltran’s latest long-player as Placid Angles was promo’d last year with the title track Canada. This seemed to be a very respectful nod toward 90s “ambient” Aphex Twin, and in the press release Beltran stated that the album was intentionally a nostalgic “peak” into his own pioneering back catalogue, and those of his contemporaries. This statement is borne out by the rest of the record.

The opening Sainte Anne is all angelic, ethereal voices and sonic shimmering. The latter seemingly sourced from gentle 6-string picking. Returning to delicate counterpoint of Beltran’s seminal Ten Days Of Blue. 

Tides Alternate fuses Detroit techno textures to a furious jazz loop a la Paperclip People’s Bug In The Bass Bin. The synergy simultaneously urgent and introspection-inducing. Hands Of Love wraps itself around a Soul II Soul break, while Hero must be a Burial homage. 

The fast, fidgeting Sun boasts a rhythm situated somewhere between classic IDM and D&B. Panpipes and a warm, womb-like B-line calming the racing electronics. 

I Want What I Want is beautiful, melancholic pop. Featuring Sophia Sel’s aching, autotuned vocals, it fades in on a familiar rave breakbeat, and then gets sent into orbit when a second set of drums hit. A block rocking love song for lonely, broken hearted B-boys and girls, possible comparisons could be Polica, El Perro Del Mar and perhaps The Chemical Brothers collabs with Beth Orton. James K being a more modern point of reference. 

Placid Angles’ Canada can be ordered directly from Oath.