
Klake is Bartek Ujazdowski, a Polish producer with a background in classical music and a degree from the Music Academy in Bydgoszcz, who produces a unique sound that ping pongs slowly and steadily between the poles of triphop, synthpop, and ambient music. In most cases if you seek out his first internationally released album Chasing Silence, you're likely to find it in the "chillout" bin, but is it really?
Track Listing:
- Sunset
You
The Truth
Grace
Conscious Song
Santiago
Chasing Silence
Cigarette
The Same - Sisi
Bartek specialized his degree studies in the violin, and that instrument's presence can always be heard. If it's not literally being played, the melodies produced by other instruments (and their emulations) mimic the melodic style of violin composition.
While I'm not completely turned off by the vocal tracks here, which are the majority, I know that I'll soon forget about them. I find the instrumental songs most pique my interest. "Santiago" is the finest example of Klake's work on this album. The toy piano, slow beat with its stick hit accent, and all the sounds just create a beautiful melange of emotion. It's almost too short, but also, perfectly brief. "Chasing Silence", the album's title track, may be just as endearing and certainly matches the compositional beauty of "Santiago". Both tracks are simple but they really create a lush atmosphere. You should definitely let yourself enjoy them.