Instrumental Tourist

Electronic composers Tim Hecker and Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) each have their own clearly defined aesthetic. Their collaborative album, which they created in real time, is an easy listen loaded with a billowy atmosphere and discernible melody.

The first of a series of proposed collaborations scheduled for release on the Software label finds these two kindred spirits embracing "jazz-based improvisation" using sounds derived from "the acoustic resonance of digitally-sourced 'Instruments of the World'. Whether or not that's a euphemism for 'getting smoked out and dicking around with keyboard presets', it's a working method that has yielded some very fine results.

There probably aren't two electronic artists making music right now who fit together better than Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never, Ford & Lopatin) and Tim Hecker.

Tim Hecker's collaboration with Daniel Lopatin succeeds because of their refusal to find common ground, writes <strong>Hermione Hoby</strong>