Unieqav

Unieqav is the ninth solo studio album by German electronic artist Alva Noto. The record was released in 2018 as part of the Uni series – an outlet for his more rhythmic and dancefloor-oriented work. The Uni series began when Alva Noto was booked to play live at the club UNIT in Tokyo, and had to adapt his sound accordingly for that environment
Unieqav is a continuation and development of the concept of Alva Noto’s ‘Unitxt’ and ‘Univrs’ albums, and completes the third part in the trilogy, whereby each record is both unique and part of the bigger picture. This is also mirrored in the artwork for each, which when combined form a triptych spelling ‘Uni’. Described by Carsten as “sonically representing an underwater dive”, the gleaming Unieqav brings as usual an inherent artistic, conceptual and scientific depth. Mathematics, data, unit systems, grids, rhythms, codes, text, language, spoken word, DNA, science technology and nature are all utilised, for both inspiration and execution
As with the last two Uni releases, the French sound poet Anne-James Chaton collaborates here, on ‘Uni Dna’. Where on previous records Chaton first provided a vocal track to which Nicolai composed, this time the duo flipped it; the poet wrote for an existing track, adding his unique vocal approach to recite amino acids that constitute the DNA molecule. Regarding Carsten’s interest in 3D sound design and building sonic spaces, Unieqav transports the listener to a modern, spacious and zen-like place for meditative movement. But conversely the album works equally well in a dark club – as for every glistening digital spark and simple, emotive melody – there’s a stealthy bassline, frenetic drum pattern and colossal low-end thump