The IDM powerhouse Touched Music digs deep into its roster and closes out the summer with something truly special. From the land of ice, fire, and magic comes Skurken (Jóhann Ástuson), steering Nott into wonderfully deep territory that feels like both a culmination and a new chapter.
Nott marks a striking evolution in Skurken’s production. It’s brimming with layered, emotive detail, but what stands out most is its patience and sense of timing. Each track breathes, unfolding deliberately, and the result is a work of masterful sound design set within a gorgeous, immersive sonic landscape.
After Sunset and Remember make up the opening duet and sets the tone with soulful energy before giving way to the solemn beauty of Móatún 7—a tribute to Árni Grétar Jóhannesson. This third track pulses with meaning, whispering of loss and love in equal measure. It feels both triumphant and mournful, and it lingers long after its final notes fade.
With Monstrum Nox, the album pivots into darker territory. A thudding four-on-the-floor kick anchors metallic echoes and subterranean rumblings. It’s ominous yet disciplined, gradually morphing into something dancefloor-ready before dissolving into shadowy synth swells.
The fifth and sixth tracks lean into subtle layering, weaving textures with intention before dissolving into a dusty piano fade-out that chills in its simplicity. That haunting ending flows seamlessly into Shimmers On A Lake, where an unstructured opening gives rise to a repeating single note bass arp—steady and hypnotic—around which playful leads and soulful pads interlace. Texture is the star here, and Skurken delivers in abundance.
Then comes a curveball: The Howitzer Hill Massacre. Frenzied, unhinged, and gloriously over-the-top, it’s a jolt of chaos in the best possible way. Whether channeled from mischievous spirits or a late-night burst of inspiration, it’s the wildest track on the album—and impossible not to love.
The closing trilogy—The Aftermath, The Interment, and Before Sunrise—brings the journey full circle in ambient form. These pieces feel inseparable, clearly conceived as a suite. To guide the listener through such variety and then resolve it all in three spacious, meditative tracks is a feat of rare compositional grace. It’s a conclusion as satisfying as it is unexpected.
In the end, Nott is nothing short of a triumph. It’s patient, powerful, and deeply moving, showcasing Skurken at his most inspired. This is a must-hear release—not only a highlight for Touched Music but also a standout moment in contemporary IDM.
Nott by Skurken releases 26 September, 2025 on Touched Music
