Album Notes

Stud aka Alexey Devyanin is a great name on Russian IDM scene. He’s also released two electro-acoustic albums on the famous Swiss net label Autoplate (sub label of Thinner) and Lampse(UK) on CD in 2006 under the name of Gultska Artikler. Although Alexey has been making music since 1998, this is his debut album release on steadily developing Dars Records, who have already released a couple of Stud’s tracks on their compilations.
LSAD is a solid IDM album, and you can definitely feel that Alexey is not a novice in the world of electronica. Those who closely followed his work might recognise a few tracks from his demos and it’s a real pleasure to finally hear all that material compiled as a finished and mature album. First thing you notice is Stud’s crafty work in audio space - all the sounds and patterns are arranged like blocks in a 3D game. For the most part, the album is rather sad and even dark, due to the prevailing melancholic melodies and scary ambient pads (Mauvaise Honte, Novapt). At some points the music becomes more positive and reminiscent of Boards of Canada’s childish nostalgia (Sunset Variations). Most of the tracks are based on deep ambient atmospheres surrounded by complicated IDM rhythms, sometimes melodic, sometimes minimal, but always emotional and touching, uncovering new details every time. Good music for deep thinking, soul-searching, or even crying.