Despite Our Silence

Released in mid-2021, Despite Our Silence represents a refined peak in Krystian Shek's exploration of 'submerged' electronics. While Shek has long been associated with the downtempo and nu-jazz scenes in Germany, this specific album leans harder into the atmospheric and ambient-techno realms than his earlier, more beat-driven work. The production is characterized by a heavy use of analog warmth and tape saturation, giving the digital compositions a tactile, dusty quality reminiscent of Boards of Canada or the more melodic side of the Warp Records catalog. The album is notable for its pacing, culminating in the nearly fifteen-minute closer 'The Bells of Kiribati,' which serves as a sprawling ambient coda to the more structured tracks preceding it. Critics have noted the album's ability to balance 'glitch' aesthetics with a deep, soulful emotional core, making it a standout release in the modern downtempo landscape.