by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

As the name implies, Travelogue is a cosmopolitan album from the studio of Egor Antoshchenko, a Russian artist based in Nepal.

While essentially an electronic producer he brings in a wide variety of influences from further afield, inspired by field recordings made in Seoul, Vietnam and Nepal and also from the ambience of Buddhist temples.

What’s the music like?

Very spacious, and great on headphones. Yak 40 uses a successful blend of techno and ambient but adds a more beat-driven approach – before incorporating his surroundings to use Travelogue as a colourful diary, reflecting those journies through the prism of his own style.

Other Shores reflects the beauty of the Koh Chang Island setting where it was written, reflecting the shimmering sea against a spatial backdrop, while Goa was the starting point for the excellent Swirls, with an urgent four to the floor beat. Hummingbirds is suitably colourful and evocative, its broken beat and probing bass sounds giving way to rich colour up above. A similar approach powers the rich tapestry of Mahalaxmi Unltd, while Glassworks shows more of a Detroit influence. Vox En Go is more driven, as opposed to the softly voiced Anatta, a reflective album closer.

Does it all work?

It does, because the music keeps moving, the listener taken on a tour of regions that vary from exotic to more urban.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. This is an album made with love, for the music itself but also for the locations and cultures inspiring it. Because of that, Travelogue is a set of electronic postcards full of colour and personality.

For fans of… System 7, Blu Mar Ten, Ultramarine, Four Tet, Transglobal Underground

Listen & Buy

You can listen to Travelogue below:

Published post no.2,364 – Saturday 16 November 2024