(Domino) www.dominorecordsco.us


When not collaborating with Four Tet’s Keiran Hebden in Fridge, Adem Ilhan releases hushed, idyllic bedroom songs under his first name. He often includes covers in his live shows, and Takes is a collection of his takes on songs he has taken from others. Drawn almost exclusively from the mid-‘90s, his choices are imaginative and inspired. While his understated voice takes away much of the tension from PJ Harvey’s “Oh My Lover” and Bjork’s “Unravel,” it works wonders with Pinback’s “Loro” and Bedhead’s “Bedside Table.” Layering a base of pastoral acoustic guitar picking with subtle percussion and bits of vibraphone, dulcimer, Wurlitzer or piano, he’s after subtle beauty here, and he achieves it, especially on two medleys, one of Aphex Twin’s “To Cure A Weakling Child” and “Boy Girl Song” and another of Smashing Pumpkins’ B-side “Starla” spiked with “Window Paine.” Best of all, one need not know the originals to appreciate where Adem takes them.

Standout Tracks: “Loro,” “To Cure A Weakling Child / Boy Girl Song,” STEVE KLINGE