In the early weeks of 2026, Idiac releases ‘Artwrok’ on the Touched Music label, offering a profound statement on the value of human touch in electronic composition. In a landscape where generative AI patterns prioritize profit & efficiency over individual art with soul, Paul Banks delivers a meticulously programmed sound mural that moves and breathes. The record is a sprawling exploration of golden age braindance, capturing the specific warmth and complexity of the transition between the late nineties and early aughts. It manages to inhabit two worlds at once: it is robust enough to command the energy of a dancefloor while remaining sufficiently intricate for deep, solitary immersion.
The emotional core of the album is rooted in a palpable sense of history, a feeling described through the lens of analog nostalgia. The opening piece, Stray Feathers, introduces this through live piano submerged in heavy reverb, creating a texture that feels like exploring a forgotten library where the air is thick with the residue of time. This motif of ghosts and memories establishes a wistful foundation that the rest of the album builds upon. Even when the energy peaks, as it does during the driving, synth-heavy momentum of Jawbone, there is a layer of soft, leaking bass and atmospheric pads that maintains a connection to that initial, dreamlike state.
As the journey progresses, Artwrok reveals a restless, experimental spirit that refuses to settle into a single genre. In The Gonch, we hear a sparse, drum-led opening that gradually invites wobbly synth pads and a light, thin melody, resulting in something uniquely disjointed yet strangely cohesive. This sense of dissociation continues through Confidence Boots, where a simple, plinky arpeggio suddenly gives way to a straightforward breakbeat. The track moves between light and odd textures, eventually tilting into a more eccentric space before it concludes. The album thrives on these pivots, utilizing unconventional timing and disconcerting key changes, particularly during the bridge of Flemtex, to keep the listener in a state of constant discovery.
The technical brilliance of the record is perhaps best showcased in its ability to marry disparate sounds into a unified whole. Hephi serves as a standout example, blending traditional drum library textures with a symphonic, almost classical flow that is punctuated by sharp hip-hop rhythmic fragments. This culminates in the massive two-part closing sequence of Old Pillows and New Pillows. The transition from a dark, walking bassline into a hollow, pulse-wave melody creates a sense of profound evolution. By the time the final notes dissipate, the listener has completed a deep and satisfying crossing. ‘Artwrok’ is more than just a collection of rhythms; it is an enlightened, personal odyssey that will stand as a notable addition to your ELM catalog.
Artwrok by Idiac releases 31 Jan 2026 on Touched Music