Magdeburg-based indie performer Nost Enter draws us deep into an atmosphere of mystery and suspense with their debut EP, “Untitled” At a time when bedroom production is falling victim to expensive plug-ins, immaculate presets and obsessively polished mixes, this record heads in the opposite direction.
Nost Enter says the record was created using a computer keyboard and free VST plug-ins, and that modest setup is an important part of understanding what makes the project interesting. Each track is titled simplistically, but “Untitled Pt. 1” demonstrates an underlying complexity with echoing wind sounds that intensify and blend into percussion as the track progresses.
Bandcamp link: https://nostenter.bandcamp.com/album/untitled
“Untitled Pt. 2” takes a different direction as it feels less concerned with demonstrating what its creator owns than with seeing how much can be extracted from very little.
The synths create a shimmering atmosphere while a steady drum beat takes the lead. There is a handmade quality to the record that makes its electronic foundations feel personal. Instead of attempting to hide the circumstances under which it was produced, Nost Enter seems comfortable allowing them to become part of the aesthetic.
That approach naturally gives the EP some rough edges. “Untitled Pt. 3” explores the use of a steady drone that alternates with a pulsating ambient treble sound. There are moments where a more sophisticated production setup could probably have added greater depth, but those little imperfections give the EP a sense of character.
As “Untitled Pt. 4” comes to a close, it’s clear why Nost Enter chose that title for their record. Calling the project Untitled removes almost every piece of framing that might otherwise tell listeners what they are supposed to hear. The emphasis falls instead on texture, arrangement and experimentation, giving the EP that exploratory character of someone treating production software as an instrument of its own. t
For such an obscure release, Untitled feels like an intriguing introduction to Nost Enter. It captures an artist testing boundaries, figuring out which instincts are worth following and discovering how limitations can become a recognizable sound. We are yet to see a definitive statement from this artist, but Nost Enter stands as a reminder that personality can matter considerably more than the price of the tools used to create it.