Bogenschutzer
Simple City
Stomp


It came as a surprise to learn that this is only the second album from Melbourne electronic artist Matt Archer (aka Bogenschutzer). Although seemingly simple, the 12 tracks on 'Simple City' are refreshingly subtle, using such instruments as harmonica, ukulele and a music box alongside synthesisers and piano to create soundscapes that fit together as a whole.

The fact that the album is so cohesive in sound puts it somewhere in between "journey music" like the works of Explosions In The Sky and chill-out favourites like Bent or Zero 7 - not as slow in progression as the former, but with tracks which blend together more than those of the latter. The one difficulty in summing up an album like this, then, is that like Explosions In The Sky, there are no particular tracks which stand out - just gentle peaks and troughs in the sound that ease the listener gently through the album's 48 minutes.

Certain pieces, like the title track, linger in the mind a little longer because the tracks themselves are longer and thus afford a little more time to build. Ultimately, though, this is not an album in which many of the tracks can be singled out - it works best as an overall piece, and Archer deserves praise for forging such a lovely, understated succession of sounds. Above all, 'Simple City' is consistent - and while it's not necessarily the most memorable album in a world populated by countless collections of lounge music, it's a promising sophomore release nonetheless.

Brian O'Neill