Nestled somewhere between a record label and an artist project, False Aralia emerges as a captivating enigma in the music world. Helmed by the mysterious Izaak Schlossmann (credited as IS), this project defies genre classification, weaving a tapestry of sounds that evoke the hazy, atmospheric qualities of microhouse and dub techno.
Each False Aralia release features a different named artist, accompanied by a unique abstract expressionist monochrome doodle designed by Nick Almquist on the sleeve. Yet, the tracks themselves are all numbered, rather than named, hinting at the collaborative yet singular nature of the project. Schlossmann is the constant, joined by a rotating cast of collaborators who help shape the ever-evolving sonic landscape.
The music of False Aralia seems to drift into the mist, resisting easy categorisation and often appearing to dissipate as it plays. Drawing comparisons to the microhouse scene of the early 2000s, artists such as Vladislav Delay, Isolée, and Ricardo Villalobos, the False Aralia sound is characterised by softly bumping rhythms and a playful attention to sonic detail, akin to a sonic exploration of a rainforest.
Dub techno’s mournful, hazy chords also permeate the False Aralia aesthetic, as heard on tracks like “01” by Externalism, with its skanking, loping dub rhythm. However, the project steers clear of techno’s steady four-to-the-floor beat, instead opting for a more organic, free-flowing approach.
Vocalist Anya Prisk lends her heavily treated voice to four releases, her ethereal presence adding to the synthetic, gestural quality of the soundscapes. Schlossmann’s one concession to more straightforward songcraft, “Vehicular’s” stunning “01” (sung by Lucas Deleon), offers a glimpse of chillout music for a genuinely frigid poolside in an off-season holiday resort.
False Aralia’s tracks seem to fold over the corners of reality with the delicacy of an origami expert, allowing listeners to peek into a soft-focus alternate world. As the project continues to evolve and defy expectations, it remains a captivating and mysterious presence in the ever-changing landscape of electronic music.
