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Joris Voorn – Nobody Knows [GREEN]

by Shlomi Biton September 21, 2014

A name that shines brightly amongst the identities of electronic music innovators is the ever-progressing talent Joris Voorn. Almost a decade since his first LP (Future History – 2004), the cinematic overtones that have provided such tremendous warmth in all of his productions assemble beautifully for his third studio album “Nobody Knows”.

With a sound both identifiable and individual Joris Voorn’s consistent caliber of work and attention to finely detailed production places him in a position of undoubted consideration amongst some of the most revered producers around.

Since 2009’s Balance14, a compilation mix CD that saw Joris masterfully knit together a staggering amount of tracks to critical acclaim, the Dutch producer and DJ may have spent as much of his career honoring his early techno influences as he has challenging them.

While many a recent tech-house cut’s impact is more often a little out of proportion to its content, there’s a continuing freedom in Joris Voorn’s productions and spacious song writing that defines what makes his music resonate way beyond the electronic world.

Right from the moment go with the beat less introduction of “The Monk” the Amsterdam native provides a seamless fusion of organic and electronic sounds and despite an array of vocal features, the multilayered, classical ambiences throughout serve as a contrast reminder of who is at control of the mixing desk.

Through bright guitar, piano and synth combinations Voorn now has a wide range of instrumental talent at his disposal; the genius of creating music that’s by turn as adventurous and as sweetly accessible as a pop song. His last single release ‘Ringo’ was one of the biggest tracks on Beatport for 2013, with huge radio support. A euphoric modern classic and unquestionable highlight of “Nobody Knows”.

“Momo”, with its simplistic, playful melodies is another standout personal addition to the album, its soothing and endearing touch unsurprisingly the result of a collaborative writing session between Joris and his father Joop Voorn.

Thrillingly visceral through tracks including “The Wild” and “Sweets for Piano” the LP forms a soundscape equally as dark, captivating and inspirational that makes for a unique listening experience.

Even in collaborations, the acoustic subtleties that sit beneath the electric pressures in tracks like “A House” that features Ninja Tunes Kid A are remarkable, a challenging level of compromise for any musician, yet in his latest full length album, that also features amongst others Matthew Dear on his own “Green” imprint he has achieved an impressive harmonic balance, and the results are staggering.

Joris Voorn – “Nobody Knows”

1. The Monk
2. A House feat. Kid A
3. Homeland feat. Matthew Dear
4. The Wild
5. Sweets for Piano
6. So Long feat. Kid A
7. Ringo
8. Mugged
9. MoMo
10. Fall
11. Left
12. Dust feat. Bram Stadhouders