Nicolas Jaar: Space Is Only Noise

"Where the music of, say, Skrillex, flits from one cathartic explosion to the next, Mr. Jaar offers a melancholic, lugubrious throb that he once jokingly termed 'blue-wave,' evoking Erik Satie or Leonard Cohen as much as deep house. Elements of Ethiopian jazz, hip-hop and ambient piano create a sultry, smoky vibe, with Mr. Jaar’s deep voice (alternating among English, Spanish and French lyrics) bobbing in and out of the mix. His down-tempo beats are intended to cause what he has called 'rhythmic anguish,' a more meditative and contemplative state, though they still retain an insinuating groove. Only recently turned 22, Mr. Jaar has been releasing 12-inch EPs since he was 17 and steadily building an international reputation as both a solo performer and the leader of a live band; a poll on the electronic music Web site Resident Advisor named him 2011’s top live act. His 2011 debut album 'Space Is Only Noise' sold 25,000 copies worldwide and appeared on many year-end 'best-of' lists" (Mike Rubin, "Between Semesters, Digital Innovation," New York Times, 3/9/12).

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