Päfgens - Aspect of What (2024)
By Flork
Not long ago, in fact, just a little more than a week ago, Berlin-based Slovak duo Päfgens, released their 15th recording in the form of Aspect of What, an album of light and dark beauty that expounds on the use of looped guitars and bass within a multilayered “soundscape”. And, much like their previous recordings, which go back as far as 2013, Aspect of What could be described as a dreamy experimental shoegaze with ambient drones and field recordings, creating a final product of profound exploration in sound and emotion. Released by mappa and the support of the Slovak Arts Council, the album weaves together elements of slowcore and a meditative approach to music-making that feels both intimate and expansive. If you are not familiar with the music of Päfgens, which consists of Jana Drábeková Kočišová (guitar, tongue drum, synths, singing bowls, vocals, etc.) and Filip Drábek (bass, guitar, kastle drum, field recordings), the album is built around “framed improvisations,” where spontaneous passages are captured and developed over months, layering new textures that breathe and evolve. This approach mirrors the unpredictability of nature and life itself, making each track a living, organic entity. And, central to the album’s emotional core is a tribute to Filip’s late ethnologist grandmother, Božena Filová. Her voice is featured in the standout track Particles, where she speaks of the desire to help people and uplift rural communities through education. The spoken word is enveloped in gentle drones and resonant synths, grounding the album in a personal history that gives depth to its abstract explorations.
The opening track, The Dawn, introduces listeners to the album’s contemplative world with slow-building drones and field recordings, evoking a sense of awakening and reflection. I particularly like this track with its element of mystery and suspense that conjures images of surreal and distant places. This is followed by Particles and Sound of Ice, the latter exploring delicate ambient textures, sounds that magically mimic the sound of ice melting, capturing a moment of transformation and fragility. Rule the Waves shifts towards a lighter, more lifting atmosphere, with touches of dreamy sounds washing like waves over an isolated shore, while Journey offers a darker and raw, almost cathartic blend of distorted guitars and visceral drones. This is the longest track on Aspect of What, with just over 7 and a half minutes of despair and shadowy images, what I can only describe as “beautiful confusion.” The album concludes with Around the Clock, a serene, time-suspended composition that features what I believe might be chiming bells or a railway warning alarm (or at least a good reproduction of such sounds), as well as a tapestry of drones and the ambience of the singing bowls.
Mixed and mastered by Stephan Mathieu at Schwebung Mastering, the album’s production is definitely first class and highlights the clarity and depth of each element, allowing the music to unfold in layers as intended. I also need to add that the artwork by Rastislav Podoba and the design by Tereza Maco perfectly reflect the album’s blend of abstraction and organic forms. The mountain with its avalanche of paths leading to places unknown and without any particular direction.
And the Florkman’s prognosis? I give this album a 10 out of 10. Despite the wealth of darkness throughout, I somehow felt better after listening to Aspect of What; it somehow grounded me emotionally. With its deep emotional undercurrents, use of field recordings, and a patient, evolving sound, Päfgens offers not just a listening experience, but a true reflective journey—a call to be open to learning, healing, and growing through sound.
