Undercurrents

by Lauri Lest

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card
    Download available in 24-bit/44.1kHz.

      €7 EUR  or more

     

1.
2.
Lotus 04:02
3.
Rays 03:57
4.
Enter 03:21
5.
Undercurrent 03:30
6.
Flicker 01:10
7.
Loose 05:10
8.
Never Cloud 02:22
9.
Dust 04:13
10.
Just Angel 02:01
11.
Vaskjala 04:47

about

"On his third album, Lauri Lest continues his explorations into a multidimensional imaginary space, with its main threads of warm and fuzzy electronic timbres, dreamily nostalgic sonorities, and precisely gauged rhythmic contrasts. Whereas his earlier albums hinted at dark synth music among other things, this one conjures up a world of organic retrofuturism. Under a cosmically expansive gaze, the biosphere of an unknown but oddly familiar planet unfolds.

Entirely created with hardware synthesizers, the album represents a musical journey with multiple waypoints, where soft noise and rustle merge into flowing ambient layers and undulating melodies. Harmonic progressions traverse a pleasantly consonant plane, creating a sense of calm detachment—yet occasional, more emotive digressions surprise with their human vulnerability. The rhythm section combines different registers in an IDM-like way, with broken rhythms giving way to the sonic power of dub. The celestial body is set into rotation with forceful gestures, only to take a breath, gather strength, and let things run their course for a while. Might this be the planet Solaris from sci-fi literature, manifesting people’s dreams, childhood memories, and subconscious desires?

Of course, these associations are inherently subjective. For example, the track “Just Angel” might as well be a score for a dream sequence on a deserted seashore. The next piece, “Vaskjala,” could be channelling a sun-struck robot waiter serving refreshing cocktails to guests arriving at this beach. In fact, however, the latter composition is inspired by two local legends from Vaskjala, Estonia: the tale of the Vaskjala Bridge maiden who dreamed of becoming the Moon’s bride, and the malevolent lord of Ussiaugu Manor who was haunted everywhere by serpents. But perhaps it doesn't matter what color or shape these wandering threads and “big fish” drawn from the subconscious really are—the main thing is to keep in touch with the undercurrents of one’s own everyday life. To that end, this album offers the listener ample opportunity."

— text by Kaur Garšnek

credits

released April 3, 2025

Each single from this album is accompanied by a music video by Inessa Saarits, filmed with a microscope. You can find the music videos on Lauri's Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@laurilest

The cover art for both the album and the singles was photographed by Estonian artist Heleliis Hõim in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.

All tracks composed, recorded and mixed by Lauri Lest
Mastered by Zino Mikorey

Special thanks to Copper Leg Residency, Cultural Heritage & Conservation department of Estonian Academy of Arts and everyone else for their support! The release of the album "Undercurrents" is supported by Estonian Authors' Society and Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Lauri Lest Tallinn, Estonia

An Estonian electronic musician - composes and performs minimalist melodies and atmospheric soundscapes

contact / help

Contact Lauri Lest

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Lauri Lest, you may also like: