It is generally accepted notion that when an artist is having fun while making his music, the listener is also going to enjoy it. Under the pseudonym A.L.L. Against All Logic, this album definitely sounds like Nicolas Jaar was having fun. Jaar is know as an innovative manipulator of the sound. He is also known for his avant-garde experimental space techno and slow-burning electronically charged political ballades (Sirens from 2016). Let's not forget his incredibly obscure deep house collaboration with Dave Harrington under the duo name Darkside.
On the newest release, Jaar is coming back to his roots - house music. The collection 2012-2017 sounds like a compilation of tunes Jaar has made out of boredom along the way, but after few careful plays, you realize that there are gorgeous layers of piano cascades, torsic drum machines, and signature dark basses. Everything is in the familiar frames of house. Jaar does not try to push the boundaries here, rather to utilize the archaic quality of techno to his advantage.
2012-2017 is bursting from samples. It is a panoply of samples spreading from soul funk of the 70s (The Dramatics) to Kanye West (I Am God). Jaar is not afraid of samples, he lets them flow while masterfully manipulating them. Often what sounds like a classic dance number reveals a matrix of electronic synths and basses (Flash In The Pan).
Contrary to Jaar's previous efforts, this collection is sunny. I Never Dream is the zenith of approachability of his music, suitable for a day on the river. This simple and refreshing release shows that Jaar can even surprise you while creating whitin the conventions.
