Gothica

Chequerboard (aka John Lambert) has a whole lot more going on than just the standard anonymous box of tricks. Gothica has its own set of characters, stories, themes and three-dimensional moods, which is a relief because I’m not sure just how much more ‘abstract’ electronica a body can take.

A mute boy, a cute giant, a foreboding robot and a sly fink populate the sleeve booklet’s curious and distinctive art landscape, which is in turn a take on the moods and nuances of the musical soundscape found within. Fourteen tracks marry a musical box of icy chimes and wintry melodies with an inviting acoustic warmth, allowing the brain to run riot and imagine the various goings on in the Gothica world.

These characters were brought to life on the streets of Dublin with an installation in the former Arthouse facility window during December, lending the city an oasis of sound and vision in the midst of Christmas chaos. The overall tone may sound a little too uniform on first listening, but subtle surprises and hidden layers reveal themselves with each trip to the sonic fields. It’s well worth dropping by for a day (and night) trip.