IAMBEAR unveils part three of his concept album with the brooding cold wave of "Mammoth/Companion"

15 September 2016, 10:30 | Written by Andrew Hannah

(Tracks)

Next month sees the release of Swedish producer IAMBEAR's ambitious four-part concept album Kattegatt, and today we can bring you volume three in the shape of "Mammoth" and "Companions".

Having already delivered volumes one and two, things have taken a darker turn only hinted at in the previous installments. Gone are any thoughts of Balearic bliss explored on Kattegatt Vol 2 as IAMBEAR explores cold wave and goth sounds on "Mammoth"; the track is all rumbling, bassy synths balanced against sharp horror-movie arpeggios and the slight comfort of a wordless female vocal. It's a touch of warmth melthing an icy soundscape.

"Companions" is a touch more welcoming with lively electronic sounds pinpricking the languid ambient atmosphere, creating a piece of music while too languid to be called jittery is never quite restful enough to put the listener at ease. Where volume four will take us is hard to say, but on this evidence it's hard to trust that IAMBEAR will give us something approaching a happy ending.

The collected volumes of Kattegatt will be out 7 October via fellow Swedish artist Summer Heart's record label Sommarhjärta.