Smagghe & Cross - MA (2017)

With this latest release on his fine Offen Music imprint, Vladimir Ivkovic has pulled off something of a coup. Ma is the first collaborative release from Ivan Smaghhe and Rupert Cross, a composer and sound designer who is best known for his work with fellow score maestro Patrick Doyle. It's an interesting and unusual set, with the duo utilizing a range of acoustic and electronic instruments to create tracks that variously touch on Don't DJ style polyrhythms, ambient mood pieces smothered in evocative field recordings, eccentric drone soundscapes, krautrock influenced compositions, shoegaze moods, and creepy, soundtrack style workouts. It's the kind of album that takes a few listens to really get under your skin, but it's more than worth the effort.