"Dance music" and "music for dance" have different meanings. While the former is often associated with alcohol-fueled parties and festivals, the latter is more common at teatotalling performing arts conservatories. However, on Phobos, a recent EP from Italian composer Stefano Milella, aka Nother, these modes intersect with cinematic finesse. Movement is a central theme to Phobos, not only present in the fluid motion of the sounds Milella assembles but in the conceptual theme the music follows, one which runs from birth to becoming in Bildungsroman-narrative fashion.
The music for Phobos accompanies a contemporary dance performance directed by the French choreography group Labotilar and Italy's Eilena D with the support of the Ballet National de Marseille. This level of sophistication is nothing new for Milella, who spent years as a producer, drummer, and composer for movies and TV, gracing Primavera Sound and SXSW. As Nother, he crosses chin-stroking esotericisms with sounds so finely produced it gets away with the many experiments it runs.
Phobos was the Greek god of fear, and this EP has an element of darkness running through its veins, though it's hard to pinpoint exactly how. For sure, "Birth" introduces the sonic world with ominous sirens, calling out among heartbeat flutters and whirling soundbites, but "The Light" sends softly lapping vocalises across the stereo mix with progressing clarity, like a newborn hearing the world for the first time.
Milella balances extremes. "Flapping", with its rhythmic splutters of precision-crafted wing sound effects, communicates a first flight. "The Table" turns more nightmarish and sinister, with toy-like instrumentation morphing into heavenly orchestral sweeps and woodpecker-quick percussion which provides the compulsion to move. "Family" sports retro electronic dance hits and ominous bass lines that turn to a wavering synth flush. "Solo" ends the collection with its most musically straightforward moment- icy keys that drop with ambient ripples to create an ultra-serene and satisfying cadence.
Phobos by Nother is a curiously accessible and rewarding foray into electronic music and modern ballet music. Its high production quality is just the icing atop a cake of highly atmospheric and energetic sounds.
★★★★