Fans of Explosions in the Sky, Boards of Canada, and the more electronic side of Radiohead will find plenty to love in Chromaverse (and human structures), the latest album from Swiss artist Emmanuel De La Paix.
Following his 2025 work Nebula, De La Paix delivers 14 tracks that explore various electronic styles with a flow that feels incredibly natural. The album is available now from Broque.
The opening piece, Sound Room, is a ten-minute ambient journey. Deep, heavy drones dominate the low end while airy pads make space for distorted guitars.
The narrative then shifts into Studio 2 Noise, where we find the album’s rhythmic foundation. Fast, syncopated drum patterns drive the track forward, while a heavily distorted bass growl adds a layer of grit to the mix.
Wave Room leans into a clear IDM influence. The thick textures of the breakbeat percussion give way to disorienting vocal samples that pan across the mix, creating a sense of restless energy.
This leads into Wind Room, where sharp static crunches break through a serene opening guitar motif. Drum samples are heavily processed, while electric guitar drones spiral across the soundscape.
A standout moment for us is Sand, Black Tea, and Living Room, which features sharp, delphine click patterns alongside a minimalist piano phrase and textured guitar layers.
Bright Lava immediately brings back those Radiohead comparisons; De La Paix’s fragile vocal delivery floats over the kind of stark, clinical drum programming you might hear on Kid A. Synth Mode follows a similar path, further solidifying the album’s identity.
Joylato (3 Gusti) continues that sense of vulnerability, creating a contrast between human emotion and machine-driven synthesis. This sets the stage for the Aphex Twin-inspired percussion found on Day One.
Shif Cargo then ramps up the tension, vanishing in a blur of energy as abrasive guitar distortion and processed drums propel the track with real speed.
There is a noticeable friction in Lunar Suite, as stripped-back beats move through a dense layer of discordant guitar work. When they finally break free, they balter with a chaotic grace that keeps the listener on edge.
The haunting atmosphere of Doom Room is built on dark piano drones that pulse with a steady, sombre persistence. If you were hoping for a reprieve with Mood Room, you won’t find it; instead, it acts as a chilling extension of the previous track.
Summer Terrace provides a poignant resolution to this impressive LP. It doesn't offer immediate relief, as the piece begins with a rainstorm and a contemplative vocal interlude, but the guitars eventually take on a beautiful, languid shimmer.
The album culminates in a swell of intricate melodies and resonant guitar strums, anchored by a heavy, lo-fi beat—a triumphant close to an excellent record.