Erik Levander Kondens

Somewhere between ambient and dream pop, in the lands forged by Eno and A.R. Kane, there's a strain of something that sounds suspiciously like both but, more suspiciously, like neither. Swedish musician Erik Levander has stumbled on a strain of musical experimentation that's mood-affecting in its tonalities; Kondens is the result.

Utilizing textures that might find home with early innovators Tangerine Dream, Levander has crafted an engaging instrumental album, each electronic glitch and sound collage sample playing an important part in these compositions — even from the first two tracks, the care that Levander has exercised is evident.

It's not until the third track, Månen Viskar, when a clarinet blasts open the assumed atmosphere of the first twelve minutes of music, that the album truly hits its stride. What may have initially seemed to be a non-unique smattering of electronics and guitar is fully revealed to be careful and considered in its atmospheric overtones.

Arpeggiating synthesizers and sharp bits of electronic chirping sometimes give way to more organic sounds, Levander proving his musical talent isn't limited to what he can push out of his computer; still, the synthetic noise is never cold and unforgiving. Even when affected with seas of reverb, the music is open enough that finding a bit of breathing room isn't problematic.

Levander's take on ambient music, no doubt influenced strongly by krautrock, is both explorative and innovative, taking a fresh approach to the sound: At times taking on a sound akin to shoegaze (Oskärpa) or employing only a piano to convey his musical message (Tribut), Erik Levander demonstrates a certain ingenuity and style that escapes the grasp of many technically oriented musicians, and a certain technical know-how that escapes the grasp of many creative, free-form musicians.

Kondens, mindful of its musical roots, does more than enough to be simply successful — instead, reaching to a higher plane of tonal ingenuity, Erik Levander has created something beautiful.