Kettel - Dubio (Aquatic Ape)

  Quote

Finally, it’s here: the new Kettel! Dubio.

But there’s something different about this new release—the unsteady drum in the opening track, Dubio, which sounds like a sailor searching for balance on a swaying deck, makes it clear that "instability" has been given permission to enter the Kettel estate. There’s much more wandering around. In Peepuntpopkema, instead of percussion, there’s fluttering that sounds like birds unsure where to land; Sipa is an orchestra of flickering instruments, which have to overcome invisible resistance to express themselves. What is that uncertain, bell-like instrument in Eext trying to convey?

In the meantime, we certainly know we’re on the Kettel estate: the delicate melodies, complex orchestrations, and the crisp sound design offer familiar musicality. The new Kettel hasn’t skimped on ideas and details, and each track opens a courtyard that rewards surrender and attention—we want to linger there.

This album is based on the soundtrack for the puzzle game of the same name. When you think of musical architecture for brainteasers, you might think more of something as brilliant yet humble as Ibb & Obb—not the synth in Hoshizuna, which wanders a-rhythmically and dissonantly through a patch of grunts and digging. But the tracks for this game only served as a foundation—Kettel then developed them further because they had something he couldn’t let go of: Half answers. Missteps. Fleetingness. Dissonance. Openness.

Was it perhaps Reimer's desire to allow this more faltering side of life to exist and say: go ahead, wander around the Kettel estate, it’s okay…?
One thing is clear from Dubio: if you thought you’d heard all of Kettel by now, you’re mistaken. In the new Kettel, doubt (dubio in Latin) and dissonance have also become part of the beauty—and in doing so, it breathes more character and liveliness than ever. The estate is no longer a painting by Jacob van Ruisdael, but by William Turner.

Expand  

A new Kettel album, and based on the two preview tracks, it's going to be amazing. Tentatively highly recommended.

Reimer blessing us! Can't wait for this.

finally. I love Secede so much 

great news

Yes!! Always down for hearing what Kettel is up to. The single is gorgeous.

Never like Kettel! He's too... derivative?? Idk. Singles are sadly not doing it for me

(Everytime I post something like this I end up loving the thing I've been negative about on here so we'll see)

Hoping this hits the high of Wingtip.

its out. I was at the release party yesterday. really great LP with buttery smooth ambient tracks but also bangers and his signature quirky tracks he is known for. Instabuy. New Secede LP also seems to be on the horizon. 

oooooo man

thanks for the reminder 0000

if slam zone comes out tomorrow... wow

  On 3/24/2025 at 9:36 AM, o00o said:

its out. I was at the release party yesterday. really great LP with buttery smooth ambient tracks but also bangers and his signature quirky tracks he is known for. Instabuy. New Secede LP also seems to be on the horizon. 

New Secede LP?! Where did you hear that? 

New Secede too?!

So it's a video game soundtrack? I really enjoyed my first listen to this.  

  On 3/24/2025 at 8:13 PM, Silent Member said:

So it's a video game soundtrack? I really enjoyed my first listen to this.  

Not exactly. It's based on his soundtrack for the video game but fleshed out into fuller, more substantial tracks. I just noticed that the physical copies of the album come with a code you can redeem for the game, which is a nice touch.