Nathan Fake - 'Drowning In A Sea Of Love' (Border Community) Released 20/03/06

Once in a while you hear an album that’s truly special. 22-year-old Nathan Fake’s spine-tingling opus ‘Drowning In A Sea Of Love’ is one of those rarities. The Norfolk born whiz is a man who subverts the norms of a geeky bedroom producer, performing live and vehemently iterating he’s ‘not a DJ, never has been and never will be.’ Yes it may be electronic music at its core, but this album comes from a man who lists My Bloody Valentine and Mogwai as his kindred spirits and their vision shows. A heady brew, Fake takes the listener on a journey through an organic, breathtaking and decidedly un-beat driven soundscape.

Each track discreetly interwoven, ‘Drowning…’ is a cohesive work that subtly tugs at listeners’ emotions throughout. Kicking off with the breathy tones and xylophone-esque plonks of ‘Stops’, layers of delectable sounds are added as it quietly draws you in and chrysalises into the gorgeous waves of electronica that is ‘Grandfathered.’ The Boards of Canada-esque sounds of ‘Charlie’s House’ complete with haunting flutes and hypnotic, swirling keys further impresses. But, it’s the synth crescendo of ‘Bumblecord’ and the clambering serotonin rush of ‘’You Are Here’ that gloriously eat at your soul – an apt reminder that electronic music can be truly human and emotional. 

Thankfully more musical delights are here in abundance. The speedy ‘Supersitions’ adds some buoyancy to proceedings while the affecting ‘The Sky Was Pink’, already a classic through its James Holden remix, is radiant in its minimal version, a sort of sci-fi melody forever climbing more heavens bound. The album climaxes wonderfully with the hazy, pure ambient sounds of ‘Long Sunny’ and the final dazzling ‘Fell’ complete with a teasing false ending. In all - nothing short of exquisite.