Whether performing solo or with Brooklyn duo Mountains, Koen Holtkamp reigns supreme over the late 2000s ambient music kingdom. Gravity/Bees follows up the pair of 2009 Mountains albums, Choral and Etching (also for Thrill Jockey), with two equally stunning sidelong compositions.
First up is “In the Absence of Gravity Please Note the Position of the Sun,” a cosmic slow-burner based around a 2008 live recording. Over the original synth, electronics and chiming acoustic guitar, Holtkamp overdubbed organ, harmonica and, according to the liner notes, even a glass of ginger ale. A quencher for the ears.
B-side “Loosely Based on Bees” takes the musique concrete concept one step further, building a radiating drone around field samples of a buzzing hive, climaxing in earth-scorching distorted guitar. On headphones, it literally feels like having bees inside your skull, which is much more pleasant than one might imagine.
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