Sau Poler - Nocturno (2021)

Sau Poler makes his return to Atomnation with Nocturno, a debut album that finds him pushing himself beyond his usual confines. The nine immersive, meticulously crafted tracks arrive in Spring 2021 and come with original artwork by New York artist Jane Dickson.

Sau Poler is part of a so-called golden generation of Spanish producers alongside the likes of Pional, John Talabot and Bawrut. He has put out three EPs on this label before landing on others such as Mule Musiq, Modern Obscure Music and Fort Romeau's Cin Cin, where he honed his organic house, techno and ambient fusions. They're often bright but obscure, intimate and contemporary, with taut samples and shuffling beats that manage to be leftfield as well as nostalgic, and have had support from the likes of Kelly Lee Owens and Dixon. All that also plays out in his DJ sets which have taken him all over Europe to the likes of DGTL and Sonar.

This new album was recorded between 2018 and 2020 in Poler's studio in Badalona. Two years of experimentation, expanding his methods of composition and moving out of his comfort zone eventually lead to the concept of Nocturno. It's an album that draws on those special late night feelings: introspective sounds, a middle ground between lightness and dark, euphoria and loneliness. It means the music is often hypnotic and mystic, with references to the conceptual movies, sonic obscurities and the video games of his youth. Two pieces of gear were also key to shape that sound: the Roland JD800 synth and the Roland Chorus Echo-301 tape delay, which help lend the whole thing a cohesive, immersive feel, with some first ever uses of an electric guitar and trumpet also adding further colour and emotion.

" "Nocturno" helped me to break the mental barrier of recording my debut album, and more importantly, it's a record that renews my motivation to experiment and expand my music. There were some personal dark times and creativity blocks during the recording process, so I thought that going back to the essence of why I make music - capture the vibe and not overthink my compositions - would be key to finalize the album and grow as an artist. Now I feel some kind of healing to see the album finally out and I hope people will enjoy the listening."

And that shows... Opener 'Vireo' glides through the cosmos on supple bass and synth lines that are bright and golden, while a more melancholy mood strikes on Labyrinths Of The Mind, with its rasping bass and nagging beats. '4.44' is an upbeat piece of melodic electronica, while 'Strange Lands' conveys feelings of the mysterious unknown you get when darkness falls. There's a tension and tightness to the stiff kicks of 'Fuga' that is unsettling, before the rich melodies and gurgling bass of 'Ritualidad Rítmica' soothes you once more. 'Incertidumbres' is a downtempo groove for deeper thoughts, before 'La Ment Abstracte' are filled with subtle positivity and optimism to leave you feeling utterly refreshed and renewed.

Nocturno is a comforting and cathartic album of deeply emotive electronic lullabies.