The wild, roaming musical world of NLP Glacier unfurls like flowers in a spring mist on the Atlanta-based composer and producer's recently released EP, OSTARA. Drawing inspiration from the spring equinox, the artist (who was born 'round that time of year, if ye're into astrology) has crafted naturalistic-sounding electronic productions that are sometimes chill and laid back (for instance, the downtempo yacht-dub of "Keep It That Way"), and sometimes more tense and explorative (such as the album's title-track opener). "Pledge" summarises the collection's bright sound and woozy electronics as it nods to the brevity of life and the fragility of environments, the instruments dipping in and out of life.
"I Like It" is the most accessible cut here, underpinned by its scattershot but oddly appealing drums, mix of glacial swells, soft pad touches, and jazzy piano. "Cobra Codes" recalls Black Moth Super Rainbow's concoctions of steady, danceable beats, easy-to-follow lines, and instruments that seem to be speaking. It's enjoyable, especially as it fades out with bare drums, a tape effect gliding us into the closer "The Equinox", which sees shimmering synths replicate life anew, as persistent bass structures everything. The effect is both relaxing and galvanising; you become compelled to lie in the sun and engage with the natural world at the same time.
But you can never have your cake and eat it too. Here, NLP lands somewhere between idle daydreaming and focused execution, and it is quite a lovely patch to spend some time in.
7/10