Dubio by Kettel

Finally, it’s here: the new Kettel! Dubio.

But there’s something different about this new release—the unsteady drum in the opening track, Dubio, which sounds like a sailor searching for balance on a swaying deck, makes it clear that "instability" has been given permission to enter the Kettel estate. There’s much more wandering around. In Peepuntpopkema, instead of percussion, there’s fluttering that sounds like birds unsure where to land; Sipa is an orchestra of flickering instruments, which have to overcome invisible resistance to express themselves. What is that uncertain, bell-like instrument in Eext trying to convey?

In the meantime, we certainly know we’re on the Kettel estate: the delicate melodies, complex orchestrations, and the crisp sound design offer familiar musicality. The new Kettel hasn’t skimped on ideas and details, and each track opens a courtyard that rewards surrender and attention—we want to linger there.

This album is based on the soundtrack for the puzzle game of the same name. When you think of musical architecture for brainteasers, you might think more of something as brilliant yet humble as Ibb & Obb—not the synth in Hoshizuna, which wanders a-rhythmically and dissonantly through a patch of grunts and digging. But the tracks for this game only served as a foundation—Kettel then developed them further because they had something he couldn’t let go of: Half answers. Missteps. Fleetingness. Dissonance. Openness.

Was it perhaps Reimer's desire to allow this more faltering side of life to exist and say: go ahead, wander around the Kettel estate, it’s okay…?
One thing is clear from Dubio: if you thought you’d heard all of Kettel by now, you’re mistaken. In the new Kettel, doubt (dubio in Latin) and dissonance have also become part of the beauty—and in doing so, it breathes more character and liveliness than ever. The estate is no longer a painting by Jacob van Ruisdael, but by William Turner.

- written by Karlsson

Reimer Eising aka Kettel has been a key figure in the ambient electronic music scene that emerged from the early 00's. Along his path starting with his debute on the Planet Mu label in 2001 have been albums on his co-owned Sending Orbs label. He is well-known for his delicate, playful melodies uniting elements of electronica, classical and acid. Kettel has scored popular videogames too.

kettelmusic.com