Cat.#: ROHS!065CD
Release date: 22/5/2025
Format: CD, Digital

Write-up by Tim Humphrey:
Frankfurt-based artist Krystian Shek returns with As You Wish, his first full-length album since 2022's Suddenly, once again released on Rohs! Records. This latest album deepens Shek's exploration of ambient textures, where nature and synthetic elements seamlessly intertwine, creating an impactful listening experience that is both emotive and cinematic.

The album opens with 'Skin Like Silk', where the gentle sound of running water provides a tranquil backdrop. Swirling synths subtly replace the natural ambience, illustrating a transformation from organic to digital. The delicate piano tones in the distance add a breathtaking depth, eventually fading out like echoes through a tunnel. It sets an exquisite example for what follows. 'Miss You' introduces birdsong and an ominous undercurrent, blending keys and synths to evoke a wistful, somber mood. As the track progresses, the atmosphere swells and drifts, carrying a sense of fleeting memories that dissolve like clouds. It feels deeply personal, almost like the soundtrack to a long-forgotten film reel. On 'Never Touched', Shek incorporates the sound of rain hitting a sidewalk, underpinned by rich low frequencies that resonate deeply. The melody is riveting, striking an ideal balance between piano and synths. As the rain returns in the conclusion, it leaves the listener with a profound sense of closure. The title track, 'As You Wish', is where Shek's mastery of effects truly shines. The piano remains the centerpiece, but it is the lingering low tones and the gradual mid-track swell that give this piece its momentum. It feels like a journey, full of movement and emotional resonance. 'Without You' shifts the tone to something more eerie, with digital waves replacing water. The atmosphere suggests mystery, almost cinematic in its suspense, adding variety to the album's soundscape. The final track, 'In Your Eyes'. is a important last moment. A rich, passionate vocal performance adds honesty and depth, while the familiar swelling keyboard textures maintain the album's cohesive, soundtrack-like quality. It serves as a powerful and unique conclusion.

As You Wish is an evocative, meticulously crafted album where each track tells a story. Shek continues to demonstrate his ability to blend natural and synthetic elements with emotional depth, leaving the listener both moved and mesmerised.

Cue up a new Krystian Shek release, and it makes for a time of automatic rejoicing. The man has shown a limitless ability to crack any old electronica nut through the years, starting with his very early FAX recordings unveiled to us via the late Pete Namlook’s expert tutelage. Celestial Court holds forth in the expected manner, threading its way across a veritable starfield of opulent ambience, twinkling synths, and an almost fairy-tale aesthetic. Shek is perhaps one of Namlook’s prime FAX grad students who have taken his notion of ‘new environmental music’ to heart. “Hope” surely points the way there, marrying birdsong to a rugged dub-techno aesthetic minus the techno: it’s an absolutely riveting slice of 2001-like melancholia, Vangelis-tinted grandeur, and Yagya-flavored animotion. “Solace” also acclimatizes us in expert fashion, ushering in contemplative weather systems wherein late summer rainfall is further mimed in a torrential sequencer downpour, burbles, bangles, and beads reflecting off shiny silver surfaces. Shek is but one of the few synth glitterati who not only imparts majesty on his digital landscapes but the right tincture of emotional rescue when called for: “Moment of Truth” is one such lovely piece, steeped in the kind of synthetic hush-hush Robert Schroeder’s made famous, but embellished with Shek’s singular touch and enveloping warmth. Go gaga over it all.

Tim Humphrey's review of Celestial Court:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WDAyR7b5IU

A heavyweight lineup of dub techno talent comes together for a deep and textured journey. Krystian Shek's Promise features two original productions from himself alongside with reworks from Yagya and grad_u. As a bonus, this collection expands even further with digital-exclusive remixes from Raytek and Noosa Sound System that come with the original purchase. Milly James returns to the label, lending her amazing voice to a release that bridges atmospheric depth with driving rhythm.
'Glow & Shine' locks into a hypnotic groove from the outset, its analog warmth and weighty percussion forming a solid foundation. A crisp snare and hi-hat pattern provide an irresistible swing, while chords and vocals land together in perfect sync, draped in a rich layer of delay. Spacey breakdowns allow the ride cymbal to subtly emerge, giving the track an evolving energy. The closing moments strip things back, with the chords guiding everything to a natural finish. 'Better That Way' shifts into a more melodic space, balancing intricate drum programming with an emotive vocal delivery. The initial rhythmic stutter adds a unique touch before settling into a flowing beat. As layers build, the chords and voice intertwine seamlessly, evoking a deep, contemplative feel. The breakdown smooths everything out, allowing the track to breathe before a striking bassline shift in the final section brings fresh momentum. The last ambient passage is particularly stunning, offering a moment of reflection.
The legendary Icelandic producer Yagya creates his interpretation of 'Glow & Shine' sees it drifting into dreamlike territory, wrapping the original’s elements in a lush, aquatic atmosphere. More of a song than a club tool, it glides effortlessly, capturing a serene, almost weightless mood. On the flip side, grad_u reshapes 'Better That Way' into a crisp, rolling dub excursion. Airy chords swirl above a commanding groove, with well-placed melodic flourishes adding an elegant touch. The arrangement continuously morphs, deepening its hypnotic pull.
Raytek’s remix of 'Glow & Shine' injects a sharper rhythmic intensity, pushing the track into darker, more driving territory. The vocal treatment becomes a focal point, cleverly reshaped to make the singing the true hook. Meanwhile, Noosa Sound System takes 'Better That Way' into stripped-down, immersive terrain. The off-kilter drum work and layered percussion create a mesmerizing flow, while the winding structure makes it a DJ-friendly tool.
This well-rounded collection that explores multiple shades of dub techno, this release has both dancefloor energy and introspective depth. With a strong roster of contributors, it delivers a blend of classic textures and fresh perspectives.

The Soothing Sound of Warmth – A 60-Minute Heater Unit Drone for Deep Relaxation.
Discover the unexpected serenity of everyday sounds with „The Heat Is On“, a 60-minute field recording, divided into 2 pieces, capturing the gentle, meditative drone of 2 different bathroom heaters. This recording transforms an ordinary household hum into a deeply relaxing soundscape, perfect for sleep, meditation, and stress relief.
The steady warmth of the heater’s tone creates a cocoon of sonic comfort, its subtle vibrations evoking the coziness of a quiet, heated space on a cold day. The soft, hypnotic drone masks external noise, providing a tranquil backdrop for rest and focus.
Whether you’re winding down after a long day, seeking a minimalist ambient sound for relaxation, or simply drawn to the beauty of everyday mechanical soundscapes, „The Heat Is On“ invites you to embrace the hum and drift into stillness.

LISTENING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Play the drone very quietly.
2. Be sure that there are no disturbing background noises.

I hope the sounds help you sleep just as well as they help me.

With their first collaboration, Krystian Shek and TryError intertwine classic dub reggae’s timeless warmth with delicate layers of dub-techno. Shek’s interpretation blends live instruments—guitar, bass, and the distinctive tones of a french accordion—with his atmospheric dub-techno imprint, breathing fresh nuance into dub reggae while honoring its roots and laid-back groove.

The warm, syncopated pulse provides the perfect foundation for TryError to do what he does best: distilling sonic elements down to their molecules to uncover and synthesize complementary qualities through experimentation. The result is a darker, more atmospheric reduction—a compelling counterpart to Shek’s version that stays true to the track’s distinctive spirit.