Brumal - Loess | IDM's well-crafted, and well-kept secret.

Loess exists in the shadowy corners of IDM, where textured sound design meets rhythmic precision. The enigmatic electronic duo, comprised of Clay Emerson and Ian Pullman, has spent over two decades quietly crafting immersive soundscapes, eschewing the limelight in favor of pure sonic artistry. Their 2006 track, "Brumal," from the album Wind and Water, epitomizes their approach: abstract yet grounded, amorphous yet undeniably structured.

/// The Undercurrent of Movement

"Brumal" doesn’t sit still. It pulses, it breathes — it moves like shifting currents of wind and water, a fitting analogy given the album’s title. A wavy synth undulates in a hypnotic rhythm, never fully breaking free into chaos but never feeling rigidly programmed either. Loess has an uncanny ability to blur the line between ambient drift and percussive propulsion, and this track exemplifies that mastery.

/// The Anatomy of an Atmosphere

What makes "Brumal" so compelling isn’t just its melodic content — it’s the sheer character of the sounds. Each element feels distinct yet seamlessly integrated. The bass drum lands with an almost distorted boom, clipping at the edges, adding a rawness that contrasts the smooth, atmospheric synthwork. The snare, in turn, sounds like a metallic pang, as if someone is striking a pan in an abandoned industrial space. Even the percussive clicks, subtle yet present, act as a stand-in for a shaker, reinforcing the groove without ever settling into predictability.

And then there's the lead synth — distant, echoing, barely holding onto its melody. It’s the kind of tone that feels like a busted MIDI keyboard running through a chain of reverb and delay, somehow both eerie and inviting.

/// A Unique Sonic Identity

Loess carves out a niche within IDM that is all their own. Their music doesn’t rely on complexity for complexity’s sake, as some IDM projects do. Instead, they focus on sonic depth, layering familiar elements in unfamiliar ways. "Brumal" doesn’t overwhelm with hyperactive drum patterns or overly intricate melodies. It lures you in with its textural richness, its ability to feel both minimalistic and deeply intricate at the same time.

/// A Mystery in the Underground

For all their sonic presence, Loess as a duo remains a pseudo-enigma. Their releases are sporadic, appearing every few years. After their 2001 self-titled debut, they followed up with Wind and Water in 2006, Burrows in 2009, and then seemingly vanished until Pocosin in 2017. Their most recent work, Totems (2021), suggests they are still actively creating, albeit on their own unpredictable timeline.

Recent activity on their social media hints at something stirring — cryptic images reminiscent of their album covers, and a vague yet promising response to a fan inquiry: "Pietro wheels are in motion, as a matter of fact" If history is any indication, we may be on the cusp of another Loess release.

/// Why You Need to Hear This

IDM, especially its ambient-leaning side, often resists easy description. It’s music meant to be felt, absorbed, and experienced rather than dissected. "Brumal" is a testament to that philosophy — its elements are deceptively simple, yet their interaction creates something wholly unique. If you’re someone who craves texture in music, who appreciates the subtle interplay of sound and space, Loess is a duo worth diving into.

In a landscape where electronic music often leans towards overexposure and rapid consumption, Loess reminds us that some of the most intriguing art exists just below the surface—waiting to be discovered by those willing to listen.

+ Here is a link to listen to the song on all streaming platforms. You can also listen to this song plus every song we've written about on our Spotify account playlists here. 

Brumal - Loess