Alapastel: Hidden For The Eyes
Slowcraft Records

Word has it James Murray was so taken by Lukáš Bulko's debut Alapastel set Hidden For The Eyes, the recording singlehandledly convinced the Slowcraft showrunner to expand the label roster to new artists. Even a single listen makes it easy to understand why Murray was so captivated by the self-taught Slovakian composer's recording, which has been issued as the inaugural installment in a new series Murray has deemed Slowcraft Presents. In this case, 150 copies have been prepared that augment a CD with a handwritten download code, original artwork by Silvia Bobeková, and a handwritten dedication by Bulko himself. The idea of presenting material in carefully crafted limited editions for discerning listeners calls to mind Fluid Audio, which brings a similar kind of elaborate presentation to its releases.

Bulko's material exemplifies an undeniably remarkable level of craft, with multiple genres intrepidly tackled like it's the most natural thing in the world. For simplicity's sake, the album might be pitched as a melding of electronic ambient, neo-classical, melodic songcraft, and pastoral folk. Though it's largely a solo affair, the set's enhanced by vocal contributions from Alex Lukácová and Marián Hrdina and Buchla enhancements by Adam Dekan, and the project wouldn't be what it is without the paintings by Bobeková, Dmytro Ivashchenko, Luboš de Gerardo Suržin, Anton Jasusch, and Libuša Ctveráková that Bulko's paired with the songs.

Drawing from summer, Slovak traditional folk songs, and even a 2013 LSD experience, the transporting “Encounter” introduces Hidden For The Eyes evocatively. Supplicating strings, nature-based field recording details, and hazy choral utterances surface in a stirring blend of ambient and classical, not the only time such a merging arises on the release. Even more powerful is “Seashell” when a haunting vocal by Lukácová forms a central part of the song's dream-like presentation; in a bold electro-acoustic arrangement, harps, piano, horns, and strings appear alongside robust electronic flourishes and echo treatments. The Slovak folk dimension reasserts itself during “Bride of the Mountains,” a comparatively calmer meditation that sees Lukácová again featured, this time in a reverential setting celebrating the rustic outdoors and the spiritual rejuvenation that such encounters with nature foster.

As much as some songs are rooted in bucolic, summer-related experiences, “Frozen Lakes, Fog and Snow” evokes the stillness of a wintry morning walk, whereas “Solar System For Nina” bids heartfelt farewell to a young girl who took her life in 2015 with an ambitious, prayer-like piece that includes vocals by Lukácová and Marián “Hviezdoslav” Hridna and weaves strings-heavy classical minimalism and tabla playing into its multi-part construction. Though deep woodwind textures in the dark ambient exercise “Demon” find Bulko seemingly borrowing a note from Gavin Bryars' playbook, “Peaceful Soul in Calm Ocean” alleviates the gloom with a soothing outro of becalmed, piano-sprinkled drift. As should be obvious by now, moments of delicacy and understatement sit comfortably alongside aggressive, rhythm-driven sequences on this fifty-two-minute release.

As polished as the individual productions are, the project is as notable for the impression it makes as a collective statement. Bulko clearly gave considerable thought to the eight tracks' ordering, such that the recording comes across as a multi-part suite as opposed to one containing eight distinct pieces. To call Hidden For The Eyes assured hardly does it justice.

April 2018