Description
Darkside – Spiral – Double Clear Glass Vinyl Records
Exclusive to the DARKSIDE webstore. Limited edition of 500.
After several years of silence following their acclaimed debut, Darkside returned in 2021 with Spiral, a record that feels less like a typical electronic album and more like a slow, hypnotic journey through sound. The duo—guitarist and producer Nicolás Jaar and multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington—built their reputation on blending electronic music with improvisational textures, psychedelic guitar, and deep rhythmic grooves. Spiral continues that approach while expanding the band’s sense of atmosphere and patience.
The album unfolds gradually, almost like a series of sonic landscapes rather than a collection of conventional songs. Many tracks stretch out beyond traditional pop structures, evolving slowly as layers of sound emerge and dissolve. Pulsing bass lines and subtle electronic beats form the backbone of the music, while Harrington’s guitar drifts through the arrangements in waves of distortion, echo, and shimmering tones.
One of the most striking aspects of Spiral is its sense of space. The production leaves room for every element to breathe, allowing the music to feel immersive rather than crowded. Jaar’s vocals often appear almost like another instrument in the mix—soft, understated, and sometimes filtered through effects that give them a distant, dreamlike quality.
Rhythm plays a crucial role throughout the album. Instead of explosive dance-floor energy, the grooves move with a steady, hypnotic pulse that draws the listener deeper into the music. Tracks like “The Limit” and “Liberty Bell” build momentum gradually, layering percussion, bass, and atmospheric textures until the sound becomes almost trance-like.
Despite its electronic foundation, Spiral often feels closer to psychedelic rock or experimental jazz in spirit. The duo embraces improvisation and fluid structure, allowing the songs to stretch and transform as they progress. That freedom gives the album a sense of unpredictability, as if the music is discovering itself in real time.
Ultimately, Spiral is an album that rewards patience. It doesn’t rush toward obvious hooks or dramatic climaxes. Instead, it invites listeners into a carefully constructed world of rhythm, texture, and atmosphere. The result is a record that feels both meditative and exploratory, continuing Darkside’s tradition of blurring the boundaries between electronic music and live performance.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Narrow Road
The Limit
The Question Is To See It All
Lawmaker
I’m The Echo
Spiral
Liberty Bell
Inside Is Out There
Only Young
ECDYSIS!
