The Vintage Krautrock of Motrik's Special Edition "33" Is a Rare Treat Indeed

By Nathan Carson

[KRAUTROCK NW] Møtrik's self-titled 2014 album was a bipolar affair. The Portland quartet pitted its Northwest indie-rock sensibilities against some reverent stabs at vintage krautrock with excellent, if disparate, results. Møtrik's latest release, 33, is a far more cohesive record. Its variations on a theme bloom like morning dew on "Nehman 1," a nearly 18-minute jam that wouldn't be out of place on an early Ashra album. Dave Fulton layers analog synth beneath Cord Amato's exploratory guitar melodies, while the rhythm section churns along like well-oiled ropes and pulleys. The song dips to near silence at times, building back into a glorious sunrise of melodic mellow-mood music. Side two's "Nehman 2" is a propulsive samba that nods to Neu and teases toward Tortoise. If you're doing it right, you're peaking by the time this languid jam escalates into rainbow hues about 11 minutes in. Jealous Butcher Records is treating this release as something rare and special, releasing 33 in an incredibly limited vinyl edition of literally 33 records, each priced at—well you can guess. Yes, good job. It seems unlikely there will be any copies left after the Oct. 5 show, so all the more reason to visit the merch table.

Related: "Introducing: Møtrik."

SEE IT: Møtrik plays the Know, 2026 NE Alberta St., with Panzer Beat and Leading Psychics, on Wednesday, Oct. 5. 8 pm. Call venue (503-473-8729) for ticket information. 21+.

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