Kassel Jaeger - Sub Re [Shelter Press 170]

Released on the ever active Shelter Press label on July 10th, 2k26 is "Sub Re", the latest longplay achievement of long standing composer and sound researcher Kassel Jaeger. Split in two distinct parts with seven individual sub-sections or movements assigned to each the roughly 42 minutes spanning release follows a specific approach developed alongside the Paris-based Groupes De Recherches Musicales which focuses on an extraction of raw sound material from underneath the original sounds surface - and its sources. This being said what we find in "Sub Re" sonically is a rather suprising ethereal and glistening take on Post Rhythm Industrial choirs and chorals in the opening movement named "Adis" followed by electro-acoustic Ambient minimalisms at the very fringes of the audible spectrum, repeated bell harmonics, rather dreamy and classical Ambient x Post-PostRock sequences as well as sequences offering brooding and spine-tingling Dark Ambient melancholia and inward-looking sonic exploration leading into epic panoramic darkness at times reminiscent of Tangerine Dream's 'Sorcerer" score work in the first part of the album. Furthermore we see the second part offering Post-Industrial electro-acoustic pulses in "Forge" which takes the approach of early Einstuerzende Neubauten into dark minimalistic voids from which intense dronings and outerworldy non-choirs emerge to an apocalyptic effect followed by nocturnal Ambient structures, spine-tingling atmospheres telling stories of the dangers of outerdimensional nothingness whereas a little further down the line exploring the beauty of a rising morning sun in airy hovering harmonics, the buzz of a gazillion insects in what seem to be short Field Recordings buried deep with in the mix for a few seconds as well as grand beautiful Ambient finale. Which is quite a diversified array of sonic exploration for a relatively short album.

Album artwork on Instagram!