cv313

Seconds to Forever

★★★½

cv313 is another name of electronic duo that is composed of Rod Modell and Stephen Hitchell. They have multiple aliases and many projects that go with each one. This EP is composed of three songs; two of them are different remix versions, and the other one is a whole twenty three minute long sonic excursion. It's obviously filled with the influence and guidance of their musical ancestors, most notably the Basic Channel Boys. That duo of Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald helped father and raise their child which was minimal techno. But it's important to keep in mind that those two touched almost every electronic scene at the time. From deep house, Detroit techno, dub and reggae, and everything in between. Now Rod and Stephen are pushing forward in their name, and have created some of the most sublime minimal electronic works under their name Deepchord Presents Echospace.

Look at the cover too; it's futuristic but cloudy and dark. The music isn't far from that feeling either. The original mix of "Sounds to Forever" is the opening track and it feels pretty sparse compared to what's to come. These notes just fade in and out under a mist of noise that is not hard on the ears, but rather makes your body feel limp and your eyelids feel heavy. The beat is fluid and constant, making this a loungey hit that I could see being played in a metallic and bare loft. The second track is a "reshape" of "Sounds to Forever" and it takes on a new feel and environment. There's added congas and it feels more like a deep house track than anything else they've put out thus far. It's relaxing if not a bit dizzying. 

Moving onto the most magnificent and memorable song on here, "Beyond the Clouds (Reprise)". It's the least beat oriented track of the three and the one that really makes a difference if you listen to it with headphones. I wouldn't call it ambient; it's a bit too fast paced for that. But the layers and wave-like movement of it reminds me of some early ambient pioneers such as Tangerine Dream or Manuel Göttsching. It's one of those songs that have to be listened to in complete silence, your eyes covered and in the dark. Depriving yourself of as much of your other senses as possible. I did that and I think it contributed to me thinking that this album is as great as it is. 

I still have more to listen to by this duo and this EP has made me more excited than I thought I would be. They're pushing forward and helping take the minimal techno and dub genre straight into the freezing atmosphere. It's been stagnant for too long so I'm happy they've come around and given it the push it needs in order to evolve. I should also mention that contrary to most electronic music I've been listening to recently, I believe that this music should be heard at a lower volume. It helps you focus on all the minute details and at the same time your ears aren't being clogged by the constant rolling tide of noise that could otherwise overwhelm you. I really feel like it's taken me straight to the stratosphere; but I'm still breathing.

Favorite Song: Beyond the Clouds (Reprise)