Tim Olive lives in and operates out of Kobe, Japan, where he has built an impressive discography of solo and collaborative recordings using magnetic pickups as a primary instrument. Sintered was created with several of these magnetic pickups, along with metal objects, radios, and spring reverb. Working with such temperamental technology, it’s clear that Olive’s intuition and timing are assets put to good use here, sharpened from decades of collaboration and improvisation, from his early work as a core member of avant noise-rock group Nimrod through his continuing collaborations with Anne-F Jacques, Jason Kahn, Takuji Naka, Kayu Nakada and many others. With a sharp ear and a steady hand at the helm, Sintered unfolds almost as if the hum and interference of the electronics were simply being presided over, carefully guided to elegant compositions of their own internal logic.

June 2024 cassette bundle: Get all three new cassettes by Tim Olive, Human Adult Band, and Comfort Link for $15.