»I consider identity to be a feverish dream,« said DJ Plead recently in an interview with GROOVE. In his case, this comes as no surprise: Lebanon, Australia, Switzerland – Jarred Beeler’s life story takes many twists and turns. On Please, he focuses primarily on his Lebanese heritage and uses the traditional instruments of the Arab country to create melancholic, contemplative melodies that express an eternal search.
On »Seven Eight, Too Late«, the guitar and bass complement each other without ever quite finding their footing, constantly circling one another, never quite coming together. »Stucco« begins with a bassline reminiscent of Om Unit’s Acid Dub Studies. A fitting point of comparison, as DJ Pleads’ album-length plea moves at a similar pace – though more introspective and fragile than the club bangers with an oriental twist found on AD93. On »pa 700«, rumbling bass and strings engage in a call-and-response duet from which a genuine melody emerges. Not a trick, as is often practised in clubs, but a central element of the track.
This also applies to the rest of the 33-minute running time: Please is an album where, right from start to finish, it’s clear that for its creator it represents a deeply personal, at times nostalgic and, above all, never-ending journey. Consistently tentative, yet profoundly moving throughout.
Please
