To Rococo Rot/ Speculation

To Rococo Rot
Speculation
(Domino)

To Rococo Rot is a palindromic post-rock/electronica trio from Berlin who have been releasing albums for the best part of 15 years now. Speculation, the latest chapter in a series of sonic explorations, showcases a band who by now are supremely confident in what they do.
The album drifts gently in and out of consciousness, exploring ambient soundscapes for minutes at a time without apology. And if that sounds dull then I assure you it’s not. Speculation isn’t an album that alienates itself through self-indulgence; neither do the frequent forays into the ether become gratuitous or boring. If there’s any criticism here it’s that it’s over too abruptly, like a transcendental daydream drawn to an unwelcome end by the slamming of a door.
Live instruments explore synthetic soundscapes and ideas segue seamlessly into one another like the unfolding events of an elaborate dream-sequence. ‘Horses’ takes the post-rock golden rule (take a single theme and elaborate on it) and beguiles effortlessly with hypnotic cyclical rhythms, minimal electronica and live percussive flourishes.
For all of its ambience, Speculation is paradoxically an album that never quite settles and it’s this restlessness that keeps it interesting from start to finish.