FusedMARc: Contraction EP
Sutemos

Though this ninth release from net label Sutemos is classified as an EP, its 53-minute length and eleven tracks call the characterization into question; perhaps the four FusedMARc tracks might be thought of as the EP, with the seven remixes addendums. And FusedMARc is not, incidentally, a single individual's alias but the name of a Lithuanian band specializing in downtempo ambient electronica assembled from Cilia's singing, guitarist Nurasho's guitar, Norberth's electronics, and VJ Syrtha's visuals.

Get past the Björk-like cooings of Cilia's voice and the quality of the group's music impresses. While that vocal connection is most explicitly heard in the opener “Easier (WTLGD),” the song overcomes that distracting aspect by deftly floating between dreamy electronic and aggressive guitar episodes. The title cut conjures an exotic funk groove boosted by guitar snarls and a dramatic distorted vocal that recalls the shoegaze stylings of Curve. “Twin” drops with a heavy trip-hop lurch, while “We Similar Synth Iron” alternates between delicate shadings and crushing guitar-driven psychedelia.

Oddly, the remixes are of two songs only: “Tier & Tie” and “WTLGD.” Icelander Ruxpin sprinkles Cilia's chopped voice over his swaying “Tier & Tie” remix; IJO contributes two versions of the song, one lush Arovane-styled ambient and the other even more somnambulant. Yagya's “WTLGD” treatment dreamily pairs his soft voice with Cilia's in a lovely gossamer rendering, while Joel Tammik submerges the song in smears of Basic Channel ambiance. Crafting an hypnotic weave from Cilia's vocal, SubtractiveLAD (Stephen Hummel) brings the collection to a lovely close with his stately “Lights Out Mix.” It's interesting to note that in most cases remixes tend to be aggressive makeovers of original material, whereas in this case FusedMARc's songs are harder-edged and the interpretations gentler. And, incredibly, not only does it sound great but it's free for the taking.

May 2005