REVIEW: Rudi Arapahoe - Double Bind

7.25 out of 10

Find it here. 

One of my favorite pieces of modern Post-Classical Experimental Ambient music is Rudi Arapahoe's debut LP 'Echoes From One To Another'. Since then (2008) Rudi has been very busy producing other projects for some very interesting acts but he's been mostly quite in-regards to a proper follow up to 'Echoes..', that is until now. The entrance to apprehension has re-opened, but do these sounds sound familiar, or is this an entirely different presence?

'Double Bind Theory' besides being the tile of Rudi's latest work is an actual theory. If you look it up it says "A double bind is an emotionally distressing dilemma in communication in which an individual (or group) receives two or more conflicting messages, in which one message negates the other.". When speaking with Rudi he mentioned this release was supposed to be more "abstract" then his last. In other words; the same people were involved in the process, the same vibe is there, but completely different approaches of final composition and writing styles are attempted. The difference between this EP and his last LP is a more stripped down/minimal approach. Within the walls (or dreary woods as I like to imagine it) of 'Double Bind..' you will hear shiny & gloomy white noises, faint heavenly operatic-style vocals, reverb drenched guitar pluckings, lots of melancholy and morose string work, low-end (and a few high-end) piano sustains, and this layer of "black noise" that I genereally have only heard from only the greatest Ambient masters (such as R. Arapahoe). I trust you will be able to clear your head just fine with release. I also trust you don't get scared too easily in the dark, as this album could leave lingering goosebumps all over your body and through your headphones given the proper surroundings.

If you like Ambient music you most likely already know about this release as Rudi Arapahoe is truly one of the most important figures in Modern Ambient sound. Recommended for sure, I just can't wait for the LP to follow..

Standout Tracks: Double Bind, The Book Of Knots, Endgames