Marsen Jules: "It's Only Castles Burning"

Marsen Jules has been quiet lately, and not just in the “they’ll never hear this one” way that most ambient artists like to toy with. The Dortmund deliberator’s “latest” release, 2007’s Golden, is nearly two years old today, with the only recent surfacings being collaborations and remixes only. So why so static, Herr Jules, and where’s that whiff of a new album you promised us? The global prosperity pyre doesn’t exactly add water to ethereal ambient’s grow-bag, I’ll grant you, but we’ve still got our inspirational sunsets, right? Anyone following Jules’ work will know that his writing and mixing skills certainly cut it (his snapping up by angel label City Centre Offices can confirm that one), so it’s a nice touch to see that this new movement finds him rising, Dr Phibes-like, from his coffin. Let’s tick off the check list: summer dub sensations—check. Air of starlit cave-diving—check. Fresh dark elements that mimic post-panic attack breath—hmm, what’s this? It appears there’s flecks of temper coming though in Mr Jules’ latest jaunt; a sweet crackle and kink between the dyed walls of sunlight. While the track’s slow bright rippling recreates a noise somewhere between iron lungs and low tide, the alternative Berlin pads in the background keep things rough but beautiful, like saw sparks. Next to the softer more familiar tinder on the rest of Kompakt’s Pop Ambient annual it feels dangerous, which perhaps helps explain the strange choice of title given Jules’ usual route of “make it sound French.” Just don’t let it tempt you in to taking Strike Anywhere the next time you visit Her Majesty.