Alva Noto: Unieqav — ‘sparse techno beats’

Alva Noto

Unieqav

(Noton)

Alva Noto is the performing name of German electronic musician Carsten Nicolai whose work ranges from collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto (they wrote the score for the film The Revenant together) to minimalist techno. His latest album Unieqav is the third in a trilogy after 2008’s Unitxt and 2011’s Univrs.

Nicolai’s music is inspired by science and data, a sound world of patterns and randomness, such as Unitxt’s conversion of Word and Excel files into sonic form. Patterns win out over randomness on Unieqav. Its 12 tracks are locked into intense geometric patterns, embroidered by the wonderfully detailed digital tones and textures that Nicolai conjures from his software.

Sparse techno beats are imprinted in grid-like repetitions. The effect is austere but the degree of action taking place alongside ensures it does not become too severe. Track names advertise the play of difference and similarity.

“Uni Sub” sets up a determined bass line amid a murky swell of distortion; the repeated pulse of a radar signal suggests a journey into the deep ocean. “Uni Normal” is brooding techno that builds tension masterfully. “Uni Dna” features the only vocals — a laconic recital by the French poet Anne-James Chaton of the ingredients of DNA, the biological information that encodes us.

★★★★☆