copeland - Because I'm Worth It

copeland
Because I’m Worth It
15 May 2014
self-released

4 stars out of 5

 

Inga Copeland is an elusive one. She’s granted only one interview in her career, which now includes over thirty releases, including around a half-dozen full-length albums and a dozen or so singles. Now “disassociated” from former Hype Williams cohort Dean Blunt, copeland (real name Alina Astrova) has ditched the (fake) given name and the capital letter and given us her first solo LP, Because I’m Worth It. It’s a brief but thrilling offering of dark experimental electronica from the Estonian-born, UK-based artist, revealing new secrets with each successive listen.

The Actress-produced “Advice to Young Girls” is an endearing—and suitably odd—lecture given by copeland to her younger sisters all over the world: “The city is yours.” “Insult to Injury” recalls early Photek in its percussion—those razor-sharp snares are perhaps making a comeback? I certainly hope so. “Fit 1,” way over on the second side, is the first track on Because I’m Worth It that features anything like a traditional song structure, but not really—it’s just that it’s the first instance of copeland using her throat to make sounds that resemble traditional singing. The more experimental “Diligence” and “Inga” see Astrova sounding a little like Martina Topley-Bird, only the music she’s created here to accompany her voice is far more interesting than anything off Maxinquaye.

As a statement of intent, Because I’m Worth It announces higher bit rates and greater focus, though its half-hour running time seems rather less than generous (this is, on the other hand, roughly 50% longer than last year’s Higher Powers). In the case of copeland, too much of a good thing would definitely be seen as a good thing, especially since this vinyl is in an extremely limited edition.

reviewed by Richard Krueger