L’Art du Paysage by Inturist and Vanya-Ivan Kazukov

For fans of Animal Collective, Faust, Sean McCann, minimal techno, and the dazed wonder of exploring an unfamiliar place with no guidance, L’Art du Paysage by Inturist and Vanya-Ivan Kazukov explores the process of  unexpectedly emigrating to a country without getting a chance to learn the language first, a dizzying affair which leaves the record in a constant surreal haze. The album’s unique sound assembles minimalist instrumental loops, improvised flourishes, and heavily treated vocals to form a sparse environment which nonetheless feels alive. Most prominently, the album features poorly translated French lyrics, a conversion of narration into lovable nonsense which mirrors our near-understanding as beginning learners of a new language. This record never approaches our foreignness as putting us in danger; instead, we essentially experience our new community as an entirely outside observer, drawn to the slightest, most mundane detail which longtime locals have long since forgotten. Since we lack the skills to communicate these peculiarities back to our new neighbors, we’re forced to house them within our spinning heads, leading to the surreal stew of L’Art du Paysage.