9 tracks. Running time 76:23 Apparently the name Klangwelt -- the recording name of Gerald Arend -- means sound-world or world of sound. Xoio is his third album which continues his hallmark sequencing and arpeggios combined with occasional modified use of found sounds of people's voices. As we've come to expect it's a long album with good length tracks which allow the music to develop. Soon as the music starts in the opening track “Okzident” one is faced with a recognisable style from Klangwelt's previous albums. The magic is that each album is a different exploration of familiar sonic territory. It's easy to be gripped by the music from the start as the arpeggiated sequences and melodies can be hypnotic and wonderful. The title track “XOIO” is a tour de force, and also the longest at nearly twelve minutes. Crisp percussion and rhythm keep the pace while washes sounding almost like animalistic electronic exertions move across the soundscape. The pace and intensity continually builds up and includes quickening pads and vaguely choral effects. It all culminates in a passage where short blistering refrains add an electric guitar feel to the piece before it finally drops off to a finish. This is a superb track which when played loud will blow you away. Though most of the album is uptempo there are a few more restrained, relatively speaking, tracks. The common factor is a positive feel to the music which makes it always a pleasure to listen to. Even the slower ambient tracks like “Bed of Clouds” with its meandering reverbing synths and meditative though big synth style refrains and mid-tempo rhythm convey a sense of good things. Klangwelt has created another winner with Xoio. Though none of the tracks stand out above the rest it's a solid release that consolidates his reputation as a respected exponent of the EM genre.