Iserlohn - Standing Still Is A Great Deceiver

Iserlohn 

Standing Still Is A Great Deceiver
self-released; 2014

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Standing Still Is A Great Deceiver is the first professional release from Iserlohn and I certainly hope it is not the last. The music on this album will resonate with fans of artist such as Max Richter, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Fennesz and Star Of The Lid. It’s quite often a beautiful culmination of sounds that don’t need words in order to resonate with meaning. The music creates a sense of clarity and somehow feels significant enough for you to embrace it. It perfectly suited to listen to while contemplating the cosmos, our consciousness or the many other mysteries that surround us.

The album starts with “Still Unannihilated,” which sounds like you are entering a parallel universe or listening to the soundtrack of what it’s like to enter a dream state. There are no beats of any kind. It’s a relatively atonal sound that morphs, evolves and eventually sounds like it’s burning. 

The second track “Nefelibata” is one the warmest and nostalgic songs on the record. It starts with a smooth, comforting pad and glitch like percussive elements that ultimately feel inviting. Iserlohn slowly introduces more elements such as a kick drum and arpeggiated synths. It builds even more and introduces sheets of white noise that if were any more harsh would have been too much. It’s not that hard of an argument to make that this may be the highlight of the album.

“Dendriform” combines orchestral string swells with a piano that lies on top of a sparse beat. As the song progresses Iserlohn introduces more percussive elements veering on the side of something you might hear from Authcre or Aphex Twin.  He closes with “Hiraeth,” which contains some of the most energy on the album. What this song lacks in sentiment makes up with a cathartic purge.

My only complaint with Standing Still Is A Great Deceiver is it sometimes feels a bit scattered contextually. The ride from the beginning to the end could have been a bit smoother. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this album and there are some moments and songs that were exceptional. Iserlohn has the rare talent for music to sound grandiose and meaningful without it sounding contrived. I certainly am excited to hear how his sound evolves.

last.fm