SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: IMMERSION – SLEEPLESS

Immersion
Sleepless
Swim~

The band, Immersion, consists of Colin Newman (from Wire) and Malka Spigel (Minimal Compact). Sleepless is their fourth studio album, and their first since 2016’s Analogue Creatures Living On An Island. 

Sleepless is an electronic instrumental album, and Immersion is able to demonstrate how to make an interesting, engaging and warm synth-based instrumental work.  Utilizing analogue synths and having a more old style of writing and creating tunes helps in these goals. At times the album has a late 1970’s vibe, which is achieved by their choice of instruments and production. But the bottom line is, that this is an excellent album that once started one does not want to lift the needle.

It seems that  Newman and Spigel work so well together. They come from different bands and different musical disciplines, and yet they both share a sense of what is important in music. The album is full of intense melodies and as such the album has a very consistent flow. It is not all the same, but the musical theme is consistent throughout. They are added on the album by drummer Matt Schulz (of Holy Fuck) and Hexenschuss’s Gil Luz and Asi Weitz. The live drums and other instruments augment the overall sound and the end result is remarkably acsible synth music. For the record, Schulz will be drumming with  Immersion during their summer North American tour.

Sleepless is instrumental, but this is not ambient or dance or trance. This is Newman and Spigel writing and performing melodic songs that alter your moods. At times the music is energetic and almost frenetic, while other times it is very relaxed and laid back.  It is a wonderful balance of all forms of sound and music.

Newman and Spigel have created a wonderful album with Sleepless. It is the type of album that I will be playing a lot this summer. It never gets boring and there is so much to discover, multiple listening sessions is essential.

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