Nicolas Jaar’s mind operates on a markedly different level than other electronic producers, past or present. Listen to any recording bearing his name — whether it be his critically acclaimed 2011 debut, Space is Only Noise, or his BBC Essentials Mix — and it’s immediately evident that his intentions and ultimate purpose in creating music diverge from the archetypal path that the electro genre seems to be creating.
At age 23, Jaar boasts a résumé that contains impressive milestones that musicians twice his age have yet to attain. The recent Brown University graduate claimed ownership of a record company shortly after turning 19, through which he developed a distinct minimalist sound that comprises a large majority of Space. Yet, despite finding his distinct niche in a genre known for rampant mediocrity, Jaar’s goal in forming Darkside was to remove any preconceived labels.
Darkside brings together two seemingly distinct yet cerebral musicians: Jaar and bassist-turned-virtuosic guitarist Dave Harrington. After combining forces during Jaar’s Space tour, the duo created both a prophetic three-track EP and an entire overhaul of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. The former faintly hinted at future brilliance of this combination, which Psychic resoundingly solidifies.
The unlikely fusion of Harrington’s guitar-driven staccato patterns and Jaar’s simplistic approach to production drowns the listener with intense tonal waves. While Disclosure’s Settle may have brought electronically-driven funk to the mainstream’s forefront this year, Psychic does the exact opposite as its sounds push one deeper into electro’s desolate and cavernous underbelly.
Pyschic plays tricks on the ear, expertly utilizing tension-and-release techniques that create poignant listening moments. Synths constantly lose and regain clarity among nondescript yet brooding voices. Its spacious 45 minutes flow seamlessly to the point where track distinctions become less noticeable and almost non-existent.
“Golden Arrow,” Psychic‘s 11-minute intro, builds upon rolling synthesized bass patterning creating an ethereal foundation that subsequent tracks follow. “Paper Trails” exudes Jaar’s insecurities as a brooding and distorted voice that cathartically speaks “Where are you when I need you? Where did you go?” The spaciousness of the album’s final track, “Metatron,” creates an otherworldly aura by juxtaposing deafening drum hits with dampened voices echoing to the track’s final moments.
“The project’s called Darkside for a reason,” Jaar told Pitchfork in a recent interview. After experiencing the sensory overload that is Psychic, he couldn’t have described the group’s harrowing debut any more perfectly. Though Jaar plans to resume his solo career in the immediate future, Darkside’s mark on the electronic scene will remain indelible.
Psychic