Cubenx, The Cold Swells

review by dave heaton

”Asleep Towards Calais”, the first track on Cubenx’s singles compilation The Cold Swells, makes a shimmering entrance, like we’re waking up to a gorgeous landscape like the beach on the cover. There’s a strange feeling in the air. Then the beats kick in, at first tentatively and then not, carrying the atmosphere along, with synths cutting in like waves.

The other tracks follow a similar tack, though on the whole perhaps even more melodic and minimalist. Mysterious little electronic tunes play over sleek beats, bringing strange sounds and auras with them. There’s a definite groove to this music, along with Cubenx’s flair for mood. “Rocks” mutates from a daydream train ride into a midnight dance party. “Puente”, named after Tito or not, sets off at a more steady pace and then mellows out, revealing a more sensitive side. Tracks like “Slow Release” are dazzling on top yet still in serious motion, rhythmic but starry-eyed.

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