Tim Hecker “Virginal II”

29 Aug 2013 — Evelyn Malinowski

Hecker is undoubtedly one of the main dudes of ambient loop music. His acumen, fittingly endorsed by Kranky over the years, is at this point a stunning aural spectacle. It is however refreshing to learn that "Virginal II," a preview track taken from Hecker's forthcoming Virgins, hooks us with something other than blaring electric organ discord and drone. The track fades in with a dulcimeric cadence which is eventually taken over by a stinging rush of confused and shimmering synth, Hecker style. The synth is only for a moment victorious. It suggestively mimicks the chords already produced by the dulcimer loop, an effect creating a hint of progression, before thinning out to stringy resonance. The song behaves like a response to a beckoning to "hold that note" and cultivate relentless repetition, something momumentally represented in the work of Bvdub. 

Virgins will be available October 14 on Kranky and Paper Bag Records.