Ando Laj - Slab (2018)

Toronto producer Ando Laj's debut release for Origin Peoples, Slab, presents two titanic tracks — 40 and 37 minutes, respectively — that require (and merit) serious focus to intuit the subtle gradations of rhythmic, textural, and melodic magic happening. While the tracks contain discrete segments, they're best heard as marathon journeys—each a profound expression of electronic music's malleability and ability to conjure fascinating illusions of space. Among the sparse synth burbles and faint bass pulsations, Laj weaves in grotesquely warped voices hinting at mystifying alien intrusions. When beats do re-enter, they're not to inspire dancing so much as they are to ratchet up suspense.