Digitonal - Be Still My Bleeping Heart (Just Music)
Electronica ultimately has more in common with classical music than it does with pop, given both genres emphasis on mood and space, timing and texture. The sounds of classical music have rarely been heard in the genre though, but Digitonal's Andy Dobson has incorporated strings into his oeuvre with consummate ease over the last eight years.

'Be Still...' is a compilation of rarities, but hangs together as a cohesive piece of work, with the pieces united by compellingly off-kilter beats and lush interwoven patterns of melancholy. Whilst the opening tracks are gently pastoral, things soon move into new worlds - 'Seraphim' may revolve around a plaintive piano motif, but the alien blips take it into a more exotic realm, whilst the gorgeous 'Antares', all ghostly ambience and otherworldly beats, would be an ideal soundtrack for 'Life On Other Planets'.

Meanwhile, 'Cuetips' is a more earthly slice of chilled downtempo, whilst the effortlessly moody 'Cantus V' is redolent of Plaid jamming with a string quartet. A lovely little collection, all told.

Review originally published by CMU Music Network: www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk

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