New Ventla: Somethingness

Oh Ventla, busy busy Ventla. He just released his latest album, Somethingness, and it’s a good reminder of what makes Ventla so intriguing. Well, beyond his story – this bedroom-based music maker wants to release 100 digital albums (he’s currently on 24). Yet what makes him such a compelling artist to follow is how he never sticks to a single sonic style from release to release – dude could probably pump out at least 60 releases if he just made beat tapes or natural-sound collections. Nope, he jumps all over the place. His last release, With No Compass, was a neon-tinged synth affair, all squiggly keyboard lines and cheap drum machine hits.

Somethingness is nothing like that. This has more in common with bossa nova than it does New Wave. It’s not the first time he’s done it – see Hell Days To Remember – but this is even more striking. There is more singing, like on the pleasant island hopper “Stare.” “Rather Fresh” works in India-evoking touches along with a pleasant strum and whistling. This is Ventla trying his best to go organic, avoiding the obvious electricness of his last full-length in favor of something that sounds totally different. Thing is, it still sounds good. Get the album here.