Savath & Savalas

Savath & Savalas is yet another constellation in the ever-expanding universe of laptronica producer Scott Herren. Conceived before Prefuse 73's arrival as the future of avant-garde hip-hop, Savath & Savalas allows Herren to explore his Spanish roots with music that reflects a certain whimsical romanticism. Like Brian Eno's ambient music, Savath & Savalas focus on tonal elements, layering bits of digital glitches over violin swells and flickering lines of notes of Spanish guitars. And while it's too intricate and engaging to be dismissed as background music, the work of Savath & Savalas contains a Buddhist-like calm, content to flutter around your headspace like an erotic mantra. Over the course of four studio albums -- beginning with 2000's Folk Songs for Trains, Trees and Honey -- Heron has continued to refine this aesthetic. You would be wise not to dismiss this as a diversion from the guy behind Prefuse 73.