Darren J. Cunningham

Shortly before Actress appeared on Oslo-based Smalltown Supersound with the ambient-leaning 2024 full-length Statik, the producer made a mix for Resident Advisors essential weekly podcast series, consisting entirely of unreleased material. Bearing the title of the artists real name, Darren J. Cunningham, translated into Ukrainian, the mix was given a standalone release by Smalltown later in the year. Simply described by the artist as a collage, or a Braque, and as an Actress statement regardless of what format it fits into, the 54-minute piece is just as worthy of attention as any of his proper albums. Freed from standard track lengths, ideas are allowed to loop indefinitely, develop at their own pace, and even return later in the mix, making this an experience that blurs perceptions of time. Light but persistent kick drums, rippling piano notes, and obscured voices are present during the opening section, as other atmospheric layers gradually waft in, and it develops into an intense, psychedelic swirl. Just when it seems like its transitioned to a busier rhythm, it stops abruptly and moves on to a brittle, crunchy throb and starts on a new course from there. Radioactive bubbling gives way to sporadic dub washes and scattered dialtone-like noises. Moonlit, echoed vocals surface throughout a variety of tempo changes, recalling the R&B-ish moments of more accessible Actress releases like Karma & Desire. It ends in a haze of rolling static, rhythmic clicks, and grainy pianos, with a womans voice popping up simply to state "cest la vie." Darren J. Cunningham overshadows the other 2024 Actress release, and is one of his most immersive, surreal works overall. ~ Paul Simpson