Review Summary: Sound engineer Volker Kahl forges an eclectic jumble of instrumentation, deriving in a breathtakingly unique journey
Unfamiliar to most internet denizens, Kattoo (the artistic name of Volker Kahl) rightfully emerges from the ashes of a long-buried IDM genre, striving for a cunning, cerebral, idiosyncratic style. Blending together branches of genres in the likes of dark ambient, breakbeat, drum 'n' bass, classical contemporary, industrial and more, I guess we are safe to assert that he is an ambitious composer. And dedicated, as well. Hang On To A Dream would be his last release to see light in the embrace of a discographic label (Hymen Records), being so that his most recent works are completely self-published, pushed by the lack of financial income.
It begins with an eerie drone oozing from a distance, progressively juxtaposed by harsh, polimorphic noises; the passage slowly dwelves into a piano melody driven by a beat, a complex wall of sound building upon it: a soundscape that is composed of tiny little creatures, orchestral arrangements, underlying echoes, and all kinds of machinery. This sets up the tone for the entire experience, since Hang On To A Dream is meant to be listened as a soundtrack: a holistic, cinematic experience, though also very organic in its own undefinability. Kattoo is a sort of sorcerer to what sound production applies; his uneasy orbital head engendering one being after another, one atmosphere after another, each of them unique and rewarding. From transitions from instrumental sections (often featuring cellos, violas, arps, and wind-like orchestral instrumentation, with a surprisingly befitting result: who would have thought that of a former electronic producer!) to the subtliest micro-beat it shows that everything within the music is carefully manufactured, paced with love and loads of effort, challenging the listener to be attentive in a journey that is cold and fermenting as it is ultimately beautiful.
A long, gloomy ambient section, in between which much electrified delicacy is suspended* reaches its cathartic climax by the time Ala Flaque hits with its aerial intensity. Hollowed beats and reversed sounds cement this dazzling piece, which might be one of the stand-outs of this release. After a somehow theatrical guitar interlude, Hang On To A Dream ends with a homonymous song, a gourgeous composition based solely on classical instrumentation, and even featuring choral child vocals. A breathtaking outro, though suddenly dissolved into another vision of nothingness as time runs out. That is more or less a pattern throughout the album.
It saddens me that Kattoo is barely noticed amidst the electronic scene of today, but then again, many worthwhile musicians are. I only made this review in hope that I can help divulging his work, luckily getting a few people to know about him.
Give this a shot.
*I would recommend to go through this album repeated times, since it is impossible to grasp every detail as a first-time listener.
