loess- battens - clear with black smoke LP

Battens marks the fifth chapter in the enigmatic sonic journey of Loess, the elusive grayscale experimental electronics duo. True to their signature style, the album weaves a rich tapestry of clicks-and-cuts beatwork, shadowy dub-infused melodies, and eerie, otherworldly textures. But this time, there’s a newfound sharpness—an evolution. Clay and Ian have honed their craft, amplifying their signature elements to striking effect. The beats carry a bold, almost swaggering presence, a confident pulse that was only hinted at in past releases. The melodies, once purely alien in essence, now glimmer with a fleeting touch of humanity. With nearly 25 years of steadfast creative vision, Loess has refined their sound at their own deliberate pace, culminating in Battens, a testament to their mastery. Difficult to pin down yet impossible to ignore, Loess continues to carve out their own introspective space in experimental electronica—still fresh, still ahead of the curve.