Haven

It's an album of gorgeous sounds and textures that prefer to lay in the dark and be discovered rather than assert themselves.

In its totality, Haven exhibits an effortless balance between hip hop and Borth's archetypically haunting, transcendent aural backdrops.

Personally, the album works for me because it's kind of a gloss on intersecting listening practices that also has a distinct identity; the concentration of techno, the emotional lift of pop, the cratering impact of dubstep, and CHLLNGR himself are all there. It follows that the highs are toned down a bit for all those to fit comfortably. But then, the album feels so complete in itself, you don't really notice.

It all adds up to a versatile and often chill-inducing debut, and a welcome introduction to a young producer who seems more interested in inventing new shades of gray than committing to a specific gimmick or micro-scene.

Haven is no parody, nor is it a carelessly made record--it's simply a late entry that tugs the same strings, only to lesser effect.