Bibio and Dorian Concept - Answers

Bibio and Dorian Concept - Answers

Words: David Carr

Bibio and Dorian Concept’s friendship was solidified in 2024 when Bibio added a captivating folktronica twist to Dorian Concept’s already delicious track Hide.  The following year they collaborated on the closing track from Dorian Concept’s album Miniatures.  English producer Bibio, known for his guitar-led work, blends folk and ambient sounds, while Vienna-based Dorian Concept thrives in the experimental electronic realm, manipulating synthesisers to achieve the desired effect.  Their preference for working independently was facilitated by pinging files between Wales and Austria, a normalised practice since COVID.

The album opener ‘Womb Glow’ features a joyful synth riff in a tape loop, later given an analogue reinterpretation. ‘Lichen Trip’ perfectly blends their musical bios, with a timeless acoustic guitar riff layered over textured synths.  Their previous single ‘Shame’ shares a kinship with label mates Boards of Canada, with its fuzzy vintage-sounding synths and slight tape delay creating a beautiful wistful experience. ‘Pigeon Harp’ incorporates the clockwork sample sound of Lemon Jelly, while ‘Hammock Portal’ invites listeners to drift into another dimension as the sounds lap against the beach of their mind. ‘Jelly Pencil’ shares the angular electronic sound of another Warp stable artist, Plaid.

The second side of the album maintains a similar vibe, again with a strong nod to Boards of Canada. ‘Star Bird’ seems to soundtrack a nature documentary on a distant planet, while ‘Stratocumulus’ features a big club synth sound ready for a 4/4 beat.  To enhance the album’s immersive experience, the visual world is equally enriched with videos for four of the tracks.

On a release day dominated by an Irish behemoth, it’s refreshing to discover a more niche and nuanced piece of exploratory music.

https://dorianconcept.bandcamp.com/album/answers