Those who keep an eye on the IDM scene should be no stranger to Wisp. Signed in 2008 to Richard D. James’ Rephlex label, he’s been responsible for a slew of excellent records, including his Rephlex debut The Shimmering Hour.

One word repeatedly comes to mind when I listen to this album: ‘beauty’. Each track has been lovingly crafted, with sweeping acid melodies layered over an intricate pattern of breakbeats. The effect is uplifting yet understated, a sort of quiet euphoria, and despite the tempo the record never feels hectic. This is not the breakneck jungle of Squarepusher’s older work or the leftfield idiosyncrasies of Aphex Twin, but a softer, gentler beast.

One of the standout moments of the album for me is Hexenringe. The warm swells at the opening, building layers of melody before slowly introducing a slightly off kilter beat that broadens into a triumphant crescendo of 303 and bitcrushed snares.

You can preview the whole album and buy a digital copy over at the Rephlex Store.