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The sense of being lost I feel when trying to make sense of the rate at which Machinefabriek spits out CDs and/or collects and repackages them in more user-friendly combinations and compilations is nothing compared with the sense of being lost I feel when tumbling through the surfaces of Weleer and drifting off and forgetting to leave space for the reader to draw breath.  Breathe now, and breath deeply.

Machinefabriek is such an apt name for Rutger Zutdervelt’s work: as I’ve already mentioned, this is a record very much about surfaces.  Simple wood-and-string structures are covered in layers of gauze, before all manner of abrasive devices are used to scuff it all up.  Songs are anchored by drone as they are buffeted by electronic winds and rain; through the dense horizontal weather conventional shapes can be perceived – the perishing piano in “Roes 9”, the doomed choir in the magnificent, turbulent “Hieperdepiep”.  Occasionally, sunlight permeates briefly (as in the Tape-like “Oi Polloi”), its reflections scattering to the horizon pursued by the ever-rumbling dark clouds.  It is that anchor which not only keeps the monumental Weleer from being ripped to firewood by the elements, but which also lashes this all together into a huge and hugely addictive listening experience.  Breathe this stuff in.

Available now from Boomkat.  There also appears to be a remix album due soon featuring the likes of Xela, Alva Noto, Greg Haines and Pita.  Wow.  Check Rutger’s website for more news.  You can listen to other tracks including “Wintervacht“, “Donderwolk“, “Bye Bye Boat Bye Bye Building” and “Ryan“ from Weleer - you could be there for hours, mind you don’t get lost…