Janek Schaefer - World News

  by Keith How

published: 25 / 11 / 2015

Label: Rev Laboratories
Format: CD

intro

Intriguing and haunting mini-album from composer and sound artist, Janek Schaefer

I need to put this mini-album into context. Janek Schaefer trained as an architect with a focus on the relationship between sound, space and place. He has released over twenty-five albums. Mysteriously this release is a companion to 'Epilogue 003 Currents', a typographical representation by Rev. Lab's label owner Bas Mantel. Even a cursory internet search does not really lead to enlightenment. Only after listening to 'World News' do things make a bit more sense. Ther are four tracks, two of which are sound collages. 'This World' and 'Our World' feature radio broadcasts from Tel Aviv radio describing the conflict and the sounds of missiles flying overhead while a voice reflects on the terror around him. All this while a brooding synthesised drone swirls and growls with menace. 'Imagine a World' is a moving dream sequence created with a synthesised speech system sourced from Schaefer’s own writing and found texts, reflecting the state of our world and is very thought provoking. 'Another World' is an ambient electronic sound collage installation soundtrack that is both atmospheric and unsettling. The whole project lasts for 21 minutes and I was left intrigued and wondering what exactly is the connection between a post-paper claustrophobic revelation and the musical creation. Perhaps this is the new protest music of our time, I ask myself? Not to everyone’s taste I suspect but I found this a strangely compelling and contemporary work of art that transports you into another reality fraught with the unknown. 'Another World' is intriguing and unusual. Explore if you dare!

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