Niven’s “Van” EP, set to release on 10th March 2023 through Blank Dust, is a captivating offering that reflects the artist’s surroundings amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Composed with nothing more than a small modular synth in the back of a van as Niven traversed Europe in recent years, the EP comprises four tracks that paint a canvas of uncharted territory and capture the artist’s headspace amid such a domain.
Check out some of our favorite ambient techno tracks from the last month here
The EP’s tracks were recorded in one take, a challenge that Niven set out to undertake and a circumstantial by-product of having nothing more than a car battery to rely on for power. The result is a mesmerizing project that sounds raw and wild, with roughness and imperfection remaining in the music.
The EP opens with “Snow,” an infectious opener that calls upon thick, oscillating synths, drumline percussion, and an irresistibly chopped vocal sample to create a sense of stillness from bunkering down after months on the road. The latter half of the project sees the producer working in the back of his van with the doors open, with “Woods” mirroring the natural expansiveness of the west coast of Ireland and closer “Château Gaillard” sounding like it could be synced to a timelapse of the castle’s rise and fall.
Overall, “Van” is a DIY project showcasing Niven’s creativity and ingenuity as an electronic producer, and it will surely leave a lasting impression on listeners.
