With Helm, nonRA navigates the listener through a hypnotic expanse of sonic tides, merging the cerebral precision of IDM with the textural sensitivity of ambient and glitch. The track unfolds like an abstract seascape — fluid yet intricately engineered, where rhythm and texture intertwine in subtle motion.
From its opening seconds, Helm sets a contemplative tone. Sparse, fractured beats float above a deep and immersive sound bed, while glitch-infused percussions echo like distant mechanical ripples. The rhythmic structure refuses to settle into predictability, instead ebbing and flowing with organic irregularity — as if mimicking the natural movements of waves. This rhythmic instability becomes the core of the piece, pulling the listener into an ever-changing current of microscopic detail and emotional resonance.
The synth work on Helm is particularly striking. nonRA constructs a delicate balance between warmth and abstraction: glacial tones drift across a wide stereo field, contrasted by granular textures that feel tactile and alive. Each synth layer seems to breathe, expanding and contracting with cinematic grace. The sound design is both intricate and introspective, creating a sense of space that feels infinite yet intimately personal.
Atmospherically, Helm captures the quiet isolation of being lost at sea — a recurring image that, as the artist reveals, served as the conceptual anchor for the track. There’s a sense of weightlessness throughout, but also of underlying motion, as if the listener were suspended between calm and chaos. The lo-fi quality of the accompanying video deepens this impression: the visuals mirror the song’s emotional core, translating its digital melancholy into a tactile, visual texture.
nonRA’s ability to blend meticulous production with emotional storytelling sets Helm apart from conventional IDM structures. The glitches and distortions are not mere technical displays but expressive gestures — deliberate imperfections that give the track its human pulse. The result is an immersive sonic experience that rewards both analytical listening and pure surrender.
Helm is a high-quality release that we are genuinely pleased to feature on our webzine. It reflects a refined artistic vision, capable of transforming minimal gestures into profound atmospheres. With its seamless fusion of glitch aesthetics, evolving rhythms, and ambient depth, Helm stands as an evocative exploration of inner and outer space — a rare gem in today’s electronic landscape.