The recording moniker of the Frankfurt, Germany artist Kristin Reiman, this batch of tunes was penned during Covid's rapid climb in 2021, and it illustrates a more choral focused shift of songwriting for Man Rei that's hazy in unpredictable ways.
The lucid, wordless vocals of the soothing “Choir Of Solitudes” starts the 10 tracks, and it weaves a restrained beauty into the breathy ambience. “Bona Fide” follows, and takes a similar route with its mesmerizing template of more percussive ideas built into the light climate that seems like it could and should soundtrack a dream.
Further along, the mysterious “Cicadas” puts much emphasis on the poetic singing that's as expressive as the dense keys that helps build a striking mood, while “Gate” is a fascinating take on minimalism that pairs the soft ebbs of grace with distinct, emotional singing.
Residing closer to the end, “Lossless Landmass, Avoidant Thought” finds itself in thicker areas of strategic noise and chilling dynamics that layers the angelic voices amid a hint of ominousness. “Mitte Miski Pole Paris Minu Oma” then finds Man Rei singing in Estonian for the artistic and cultured album highlight.
“Commeo”, the final track, rounds out the listen, and it's a rich, captivating finish with drifting melodies and floating vocals that emits no lack of harmonic, choral gestures- an avenue Man Rei will hopefully continue to explore.
A truly unique venture that incorporates experimental, ambient, electronic, New Age, psychedelic and minimalist ideas, Man Rei approaches music like a blank canvas, and colors with abstract, therapeutic and introspective patterns.
Perhaps mostly easily lumped into dream-pop, Doer seems tailor made for late night reflection of the most atypical kind. Also iconoclastic, or irritating depending on your standpoint, is the availability of the physical format, i.e. cassette.