Noveller – Desert fires

When we talk about Ambient music, most people think of music that can be played in the background and ignored. Music that requires zero attention so we can go about our every day tasks without silence….

Noise music; being avant-garde in nature, therefore almost always demands the listener’s full attention, whether through choice or not. It is obtrusive and abrasive. It certainly can create an atmosphere in a room much like Ambient music can, but in a distracting sense rather than a meditative or relaxing sense, such as we require from Ambient music

Noveller is the solo project of Brooklyn-based sound artist and filmmaker Sarah Lipstate. For her previous album Sarah Lipstate created something that definitely demanded your attention. It was loud and noisy and at times quite harsh. With her new album “Desert Fires” it feels as though she has attempted to try and reach almost the exact opposite of that. The passages of piercing white noise are gone. The sharp textures are gone. Instead she has created something that is; though still rich in texture and timbre, much more subdued, serene and relaxing. The feeling of anxiety created by the noise on the first record is swapped for a feeling of peacefulness and tranquillity, inner calm and stillness.

“Desert Fires” is an accomplished sounding album. It has very clear ideas that are played out differently from track to track without being too repetitive or bland. The overall feel of the album is that of heat, warmth and sunshine. It is perfect summer evening listening as it creates a mood which is rich and flows with emotions that only come around with this type of weather. I’ve found my self lost in this album several times and it’s easy to see why. It never meanders at a snails pace or relies on simple techniques to cover up un-inspired melodies. There is always something happening that keeps your interest, without it ever becoming too abrasive or disjointed. This is Ambient music that is far from being ignorable, but at the same time can be left to fill a room without demanding a fully attentive listen.

Track List:

1 Almost Alright
2 Same
3 Kites Calm Desert Fires
4 Toothnest (for Chris Habib)
5 Three Windows Facing Three Doors
6 Fades