Two People In A Room – Wrapped In Plastic

This cassette tape release comes from Two People In A Room, the project of Berlin based duo Michelle and René, the latter also known as ambient solo artist Pillowdiver. Formed in 2009, Two People In A Room create their music using guitar as the primary sound source, which is then heavily manipulated with effects pedals, stretching and layering until it often barely resembles the original source.

Comprising four tracks and at a length of some thirty eight minutes, Wrapped In Plastic opens with Come On Baby, Contact, a stunning piece which slowly swells in volume whilst anchored by guitar droning and simple finger picking. Though processed with effects, the music retains a warm and organic timbre, in keeping with the choice to release Wrapped In Plastic on cassette.

The consecutive three tracks are a slightly more challenging listen, immersing one in a wash of ominous tones and feedback, manipulated with a control which slips at moments to enable distorted noise to rise to dominance. Field recordings are also employed and even when a piece is at its most minimal, there are small changes which help keep the music interesting.

The sound within Wrapped In Plastic can be compared with Pillowdiver’s 12k release Sleeping Pills, the two projects naturally sharing significant elements. Still, though the differences may be relatively few, Two People In A Room does retain its own somewhat distinct flavour.

Wrapped In Plastic is an excellent debut release from Michelle and René’s own label, A Crash At Every Speed and is a compelling argument in favour of the continued use of the archaic cassette tape as an audio format.

Available now from A Crash At Every Speed.

- Review by Adam Williams for Fluid Radio

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