Pain often produces the best art. For Belgian electronic producer Bart Michiels, A.K.A Bardxm, a "darker period" for the artist between 2022 and 2024 produced the songs on "Night Chorus", the artist's recent album of 10 ambient-leaning, glitchy electronic compositions that have equal measures of frantic rhythmic energy and subdued and lush instrumentation. Having started these recordings two years ago, Bardxm recently exhumed them from the shelf, perhaps with a new outlook on life, to finally give them the release they deserve.
While mostly instrumental, Michiels does lend his emotionally-driven falsetto voice to proceedings, perennially with a light touch, such as on the absorbing "Silent Screams", where the artist appears to be wailing for help from the bottom of a well. Mostly, these vocalisations add emotive texture to the already textured compositions. The title track sees pitched-up wails play against a dreamy electronic soundscape and carefully measured beats that sound like they could soundtrack a video game or the fever dream of a classical composer. "Follow Me Around" eschews accessible arrangements for freer-form expression, resulting in something looser and more abstract compared to the rest of the album. For example, "Ad Astra" is the most vocally-heavy track here, with lyrics alluding to nighttime, darkness, and the comfort of love. Still, even with some words and vocals, Bardxm places atmosphere as paramount. And while the vocals might distract from the more interesting sonic textures he creates, they are never front and centre. Instead, Michiels speaks mostly with drums, synthetic strikes and a sensitivity that comes through in the fragile mixes. The closing track, "Undone", does perhaps the best job of balancing Bardxm's melodramatic croons with his gossamer musical creations.
"Night Chorus" by Bardxm is sensitive music for sensitive people, and proves you don't need to give a big scream for your big feelings to be heard. 7/10