Well, It sounds out of this world, something that is actually not a real surprise. This third volume in the Xerrox series is dubbed 'Towards Space', as if the music gets a bit of an extra-terrestrial character. The outlandish soundscapes indeed create an atmosphere that can barely be called earthly. Furthermore this album is influenced by childhood films like Tarkovsky‘s adaption of “Solaris” and “La Isla Misteriosa Y El Capitán Nemo” based on Jules Verne‘s “The Mysterious Island”. In that way it's also the most personal and emotional album by Alva Noto to date.
The music on Xerrox Vol 3. can best be described as electronic ambient with several glitch and experimental influences. Seeminlgy endless soundscapes are being supported by minimal bass lines or percussion, perfect for those who love to dream away while listening to beautiful music. This truly is beautiful music, floating through the room like a gentle warm wind on this cold, rainy day. Alva Noto possesses the ability to experiment and incorporate weird, almost distracting elements without ever getting pushy and without ever becoming too arty-farty.
Naming a favourite track on this album is quite impossible. This is not the type of music where you pick one or two songs to play and leave the rest for what they are. This is an album best enjoyed as a whole, maybe while doing some housework or, better yet, while resting and meditating, possibly doing something creative like writing, drawing or (why not?) sewing. To me personally, music like this induces creativity when you set it free and let it live its own life.
In short, Xerrox Vol. 3 is a beautiful ambient album and definitely a recommendation for everyone who likes to relax and dream away from time to time. Each of the eleven tracks on this album is a tiny little world in Alva Noto's outlandish universe. If you're into anything from Biosphere, over Pete Namlook and Brian Eno to Boards Of Canada, check this one out. You will not be disappointed.
Serge