Future? by Javi Cánovas

23Fish - Future? "Esperando, esperando" starts with ambient 1950's style sci-fi b-movie effects, and makes me feel like I am trapped inside a UFO waiting to be probed by aliens. Tron effects and metallic shimmers of sound and a resonating gong effects, and the atmosphere builds gradually and is like in the engine room of a UFO. After almost 6 minutes a rhythm is introduced and accompanied by organ effects. The rhythm speeds up and the strange journey of sounds and atmospherics take me to other worlds. By 9 minutes I'm completely enthralled by this mesmeric mix of a groovy different kind of weird. Sequencing is then injected into the rhythm and we are accelerating at quite a pace, fantastic stuff! By 14 minutes we are in full flow sequencer heaven with arpeggios of notes keeping my body moving as if en-'tranced'. It all disappears beneath the UFO engine room sounds as they are re-introduced and we fall into sci-fi weirdness to end this epic 19 minute track! "Debod" sounds like alien-ethnic mutant voices are singing prayers, calling to their Gods, accompanied by meditative ambience. A very spiritual atmos' is achieved. I imagine being in a collossal shrine within a mountain chamber. After 5 minutes hypnotic sequencer patterns come forth with a fast paced rhythm, then Kraftwerk-like effects, and robotics take over reminiscent of 'The Man Machine' album. More effects are added to this futuristic music. David Parades' guitar playing and effects work to extremely awesome effect, and the rhythms and sequencer layers are amazing. I imagine hurtling along at a million miles an hour on an alien world in a technologically advanced metropolis. Wow! The piece ends at over 23 minutes with majestic atmos, guitar restrains, and Rick Wakeman style keyboard wizzardry! "La habitacion del nino loco" starts as if I am hearing people from an underwater point of view, some piano notes are random, and I imagine some nightmare madness scenario in an asylum in a horror film. Strange sounds like chimes of glass and steel join the randomness of the piano and give me visions of a person mentally unhinged, and in a disturbed environment. Huge organ sounds then saturate the air...not for the lighthearted. "Who are you?" starts with huge futuristic engine-like sounds starting up. Sounds and effects drench your ears with awesome power, then a rhythm kicks in and builds with intensity, then guitar licks and effects and electronic effects make this interesting, and followed by a hypnotic sequencing, the guitar adding drama! The music peaks and falls and peaks again, layers coming and disappearing. Strangely,I felt as though I was in the wild west of America. "Quarantine" is a gorgeous piano melody, a bit of sadness, reflective, but also with hope and strength. A beautiful and stunning way to end an impressive and varied album. Essential listening pleasure. Review by Geoff Mason.

Javier Cánovas is a prolific electronic artist from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. J.Cánovas has worked on his take on Berlin school inspired style since around 2005, but is also since active in other similar ambiental projects like 23FISH with David Paredes and Audiometria with Miguel Justo.