In 2011 Apparat released what was, in my opinion, one of the year's most under appreciated records. The Devils Walk is full of moody atmospheric electronics, with vocals teaming with loss. Each track builds in sound and texture, often reaching peaks reminiscent of another 2011 record that pulled in much more attention, M83's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. While that record deserved much of the accolades that were thrown at it, The Devil's Walk seemed to fly under the radar, perhaps bc Apparat is more known for his club productions and DJ sets than for creating intricate emotional electronic pop. But Apparat's record, for me, held levels of depth and headphone bliss that Hurry Up, We're Dreaming felt capable of, only to be traded in for more neon pop flare. To put it simply, if you're one of the people who helped drive M83 to the top of the charts, take some time with Apparat, its kind of a no brainer.
So why talk about a 2011 sleeper when 2013 just hit? Well, Apparat's follow up, titled Krieg und Frieden (Music for Theatre) will drop Feb 15th on Mute, and how's this for a concept record: its based on Sebastian Hartmann’s theatre production of Tolstoy’s War & Peace. Thats kind of over my head, but the first single "A Violent Sky" seems to pick up where The Devils Walk left off, delivering a slice of electronic pop beauty and subtle build.
