Dauwd
Theory Of Colours
6/10
6/10
Dauwd’s debut LP takes great care in fostering a lights-low, eyes-narrowed, stood-at-the-edge-of-the-dancefloor-smoking-a-Gitanes ambience. The curation of samples on opener ‘Macadam Therapy’ brings to mind Jan Jelinek’s Loop-Finding-Jazz-Records, with a widescreen synth giving way to a delicate shuffle. There isn’t much in the way of progression over the track’s six minutes, but as a slow-burning house bit it’s nice enough. Things work best when Dauwd spools out his pieces with just the right amount of restraint. ‘Leitmotiv’ has a lovely ache and sigh to it, with off-stage strings and woozy pianos dovetailing over another micro-groove.
The title track, though a little heavy-handed in its homage to vintage Eno, is a fine computerised torch-song to round the record off. However, cuts like ‘Murmure’ and ‘Glass Jelly’ drift aimlessly, hoping that the mere introduction of new textures will pass for continued sonic intrigue. ‘Theory of Colours’ is an admirably careful record, but one that loses points for self-indulgence.
It’s been a long time coming, but you can now buy your pal/lover/offended party a subscription to Loud And Quiet, for any occasion or no occasion at all.
Gift them a month or a full year. And get yourself one too.
Whoever it’s for, subscriptions allow us to keep producing Loud And Quiet and supporting independent new artists, labels and journalism.