The first I heard of California-based producer, painter and skater Teebs’ (Metendere Mandowa’s) debut album Ardour was the warning that it would make me want to pee. An apt analysis it seems, as Mandowa has produced a fluid, aqueous, intangible collection of songs that quickly lull you into a relaxed state with their deluge of sound. Even if you’re not rushing to the bathroom every ten minutes then it’s extremely easy to lose track of your time whilst listening.
Teebs manages to create an almost perfect synergy between the pulsing, undulating layers of sound and the slick, simple, low-key drum loops that characterise his unique style. The tracks are so carefully arranged that neither of the two ever dominates, and the frequent waxing and waning of sounds seems to coordinate to give the songs an almost tidal nature. Furthermore, he has clearly taken great pains to create his tracks, utilising not only his ambient, floating synths, but a variety of sounds from coins dropping, to birds singing, to chimes and piano. Almost all the songs are reminiscent of scorching sun and blue skies, and Teebs manages to effectively transport you back to summer. There are singing birds, euphoric synthesisers and gentle arpeggios that, although electronic, bring to mind walks in the country, empty fields and nature in all its forms. Tracks such as Lakeshore Ave., You’ve Changed and Humming Birds epitomise this uplifting style and really are the cream of Teebs’ crop.
He has produced an extremely accomplished album of escapist electronica but I do feel that the album as a whole is lacking something. It’s like listening to Zero 7 without Sia, or Portishead without Beth. You just feel that the music is slightly sterile without a voice to add passion and variety into the mix, and this means it lacks any emotional depth. There is a certain satisfaction to be gained from filling in Teebs’ blanks with your own emotions, but this can only get you so far and if you’re looking for something more meaningful you might have to go elsewhere.
However, Ardour is still an extremely intelligent and carefully crafted piece of work from a multitalented pioneer of the arts, and will appeal even to those who haven’t listened to much electronica before. Furthermore, if you’re getting depressed by the sight of winter looming down upon us, listening to Teebs could be the perfect way to escape all the stress and gloominess and take yourself back to summers past.
