Noveller – Fantastic Planet

It’s easy to draw parallels when musicians have alternative outlets for their wandering muses, but regardless, filmmaker Sarah Lipstate has a cineaste’s ear for tension, drama and enigma. This latest album under her Noveller guise is blurred at the edges and tastefully frazzled, doffing caps and blowing kisses towards post-punk drone and no wave.

That she’s previously worked with Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham should come as no surprise, and especially not to anyone under the spell cast by opener Into the Dunes – a woozily-strummed chord alternates between major and minor keys, while another guitar meanders cautiously over the top. Halfway through, the bottom falls out entirely, giving way to thrillingly crunching noise while remaining utterly hypnotic. Turning deftly to ambient soundscapes (Pulse Point) and claustrophobic battles between undulating synths (Sisters), Lipstate proves herself a dab hand at creating impressionistic wonder, adroitly prompting a visceral response to the most delicate of structures. Lovely stuff.