Dream hook-up from Hauschka and Hildur Gudnadottir, born out of their desire to create a series of compositions based on the idea of the ocean (the title alludes to their seeking to observe and record the sea’s specific colours using a Pantone guide). But there’s nothing wishy-washy about this collaboration, it’s a dynamic, full-bodied and strongly narrative outing – with a percussive drive underscoring the expected cello, piano and electro-acoustics. While string virtuoso’s Hildur’s natural musical inclination is towards darker, shadowy realms – remember her sumptuously bleak Without Sinking LP on Touch – Hauschka favours a lightness and more uncomplicated beauty, meaning there’s an agreeable tension and unpredictability at the heart of their co-created work. That said, fond as we are of the Penguin Cafeisms of ‘Cool Gray 1′ and ‘#294′, we’re instinctively more drawn to the stormier fare: with its bed of bassy drones and exquisite Celtic inflections up top, ‘Black 6′ conjures the inner thoughts of a 19th century galleon crew who’ve just lost a man overboard, while ‘#320′s blend of gravely arcing strings and insectoid chatter makes us think of an Oren Ambarchi live workout. If you’ve enjoyed Hauscha and Hildur’s solo work then be sure to check this album out – it’s every inch the sum of its parts.
