IP Neva -Symbiosis of contradictions - REVIEWS
-CD-DIGIPACK- December 2008
Impulsive Art
REVIEW by Connextion Bizarre
With quite a few IDM-influenced downtempo releases coming out on a regular basis, it is quite easy for one to become jaded about this subset of electronic music. From time to time, however, something comes along that stands out from the crowd, actually sounding fresh and genuine. Born out of the talented and creative mind of Moscow-based artist Ivan Proskurin, "Symbiosis of Contradictions" belongs to that category. It may also be worth noting that, while having a distinctive identity of its own, Prokurin's work shares some ground with that of other Slavic electronic artists, which may merit some research if one finds this album enjoyable.
From the beginning, 'introspective' is the defining word for the moods conveyed in this album. Proskurin presents the listener with a series of highly involving pieces, in which he consistently achieves a very delicate and elegant balance between gently evolving ambiences and rhythmic structures, with the occasional organic and very human touch of acoustic guitar melodies. "Symbiosis of Contradictions" seamlessly combines the best of both worlds, in more ways than one justifying its title, and flawlessly progresses in a very subtle and fluid crescendo from the opening "Correction" to "Meteoric Rain", before closing with the aptly titled "Calm After the Storm" (not counting the remixes here). Finding highlight pieces proved to be something of a fruitless task. Each additional listen, rather than confirming any previous impressions, merely tore them apart while revealing heretofore unnoticed aspects of other pieces. Technically superb and rather enjoyable as a whole, "Symbiosis of Contradictions" will certainly age quite like a fine wine, which, with time, develops new and unexpected flavours.
A separate note should be made for the presented remixes. Mobthrow's dubstep remix of "U-boat Performance", in stark contrast not only with the original piece but also with the rest of the album, actually proves to be an interesting complement, while Abstractive Noise's remix of "Correction", slowly deconstructing its beginnings, effectively brings the album full circle.
Without a doubt, "Symbiosis of Contradictions" is a superb release and, if one is to judge from it, Ivan Prokurin is an artist definitely worth looking out for in the future (whether as IP Neva or by any other alias). Also, as a first release for the young Greek label Impulsive Art, this album raises the bar pretty high for upcoming releases.
-- Miguel de Sousa [9/10]
REVIEW by SIDE-LINE
This is the debut release of the Russian based artist. On the band’s myspace, nature and electricity were mentioned as the main influences. All in all this is a varying ambient album with quite apocalyptic scapes, intelligent rhythms, dark atmospheres and surprising contradictions here and there. Harsh electronic elements intrude in calm atmospheric fields,(nature and electricity) and create harmonically controversial soundscapes portrayed in emotional IDM experiments and down tempo rhythms. “U Boat Performance” combines a choir with howling synth pads and crackling trip hop beats. Most tracks, like “The Process” don’t have real song structures but imply elements such as filtered voices, sighs and dark pads. A couple of songs have an underlying guitar riff e.g. “Constellation Of War” and “Whether In Numbers”. “Meteoric Rain” holds some drum and bass elements while “U-Boat Performace (Mobthrow Remix)” is an intelligent drum and bass track. On the project’s myspace you can watch an interview broadcasted on the Russian TV channel "Stolitsa" (Capital). Although the spoken language is Russian, it is worth to watch it because the interview is provided with a few shots in the man’s studio. If you ask me this will be a rising name among the electronic experimental scene.
(NOA:8)NOA.
REVIEW by Gothronic
http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&reviews=5838
IP Neva is a new name for me, which isn’t strange, since this album is
a debut. For some unknown reason I thought this was more
neo-folk/classical project, so I was rather surprised when I listened
to their music being more IDM and experimental electro. Pleasantly
surprised I might add, since this is an excellent debut!
I read somewhere in the press notes that this is an “aural journey of
Emotional IDM”, which really is a good description of what is on offer
here. The music is very inventive in its sound and never turns into the
dead-end electronica bleeps. And as far as sound goes, there are lots
of different sounds to be found here; from glitchy IDM to more ambient
tracks and from more abstract soundscapes to electro tunes. There are
even some guitars to be found to create some neo-folkish atmosphere.
Pretty diverse that is.
We open with ‘Correction’, which starts with some soothing tunes. It
soon turns into glitchy IDM. The next track, ‘U-boat Performance’, kind
of continues where the previous track left of, only in this track there
is some great use of female choir vocals. ‘The Process’ is very
relaxing ambient track with a very mysterious quality to it.
‘Constellation of War’ starts of with some nice synthlines, but as the
song progresses we get some guitars in the mix and the song gets the
above mentioned neo-folk atmosphere. ‘Full Moon’ is a rather
experimental soundscape, also with the use of some guitars. The next
track, ‘Radiation Field’, indeed feels like its title mentions. It
starts of with some glitchy sounds before the beats come in and turns
into some nice IDM structure, with abstract sounds all over the place.
‘Weather in Numbers’ is a nice laidback song with some nice guitars
between electronic sounds. ‘Meteoric Rain’ is again very glitchy. The
song starts of very spacey, but as it progresses, break-beats are used
and the song turns quite dynamic. Very cool track! ‘Calm After the
Storm’ quiets things down after the former track. Very mystical ambient
sounds make this a very good closing song of the original material.
There are also two remixes added. The first one is by Mobthrow and
recreates the track ‘U-boat Performance’ to a heavy drum ‘n bass track.
The last is a mix by Abstractive Noise, and he turns the song
‘Correction’ into a darker and more experimental soundscape with
occasional noise outbursts.
This is a very good and interesting album with lots of variety. The IDM
styles are written all over this album, but it contains much more
different material. With the use of guitars one some songs, it makes
for a nice change. Also this is a good example of how IDM can be
emotional and deep. Definitely a project to keep in mind. Do yourself a
favor and buy this very nice album!
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REVIEW by CueMix-Magazine
http://www.cuemix-magazine.com/cuemix/inhalt.php?image=1058
With the first release of the Greek label called “Impulsive Art” you receive a very special album.
“Symbiosis
Of Contradictions” written and produced by IP Neva hailing from Moscow
is a very special album. Breathtaking music with a deep heart- and
brain touching atmosphere. Recorded in 2007 IP Neva merged field
recordings with organic sounds, samples and IDM beats. Doesn’t sound
new to your ears? Indeed, many did this before. But with “Symbiosis Of
Contradictions” IP Neva created something special, he carried on where
some artists (I don’t want to tell you any names because I want to
avoid comparisons) stopped in the middle of the Nineties when IDM came
up. He put soul and his soul into his music. By absorbing the soul of
nature and the whole environment around him, his music functions like a
chemical catalyst, by merging pictures, experiences, field-recordings
and sounds together to a great album. The tracks are surprising like a
journey around the world in one day, bewitching tracks with guitar
sounds, mysterious samples, laid-back ambient beats merged together
with hectic IDM beats and sounds. A timeless album that’s worth to
receive the highest rate: Perfect ten – must have album.
Wonderful!
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REVIEW by Aliens-Zine
Aliens-Zine
New Greek label presents their first project,
which has russian roots and in today time a full of protagonists this
work is really varied presentation of excellent IDM, which combines
dark ambient and broken electronic. Atmospheric surfaces and down tempo
procedures, that's how sounds debut of this talented musician. A number
of industry noises and samples, electronic loops and beautiful
melodies. Great debut, modern dark matter in the dark mood... Descent
interference of brain core ... Certainly this label has high
prospects...
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