Transparent Waves
Neuma, 2022
9/10
The composer and theorist Thomas DeLio puts an entirely new spin on experimental music, where clicks, silence, and sound events are pieced together into a very curious brand of isolation meets music.
“and of “of”” starts the listen with 10 minutes of bare, sometimes very faint, electronic flourishes alongside wordless vocals as the sparseness is manipulated in a very unorthodox fashion, and “e,nm” continues with several short pieces that recruits flute, cello, violin and clarinet, but it’s so sparing, you might have a hard time noticing.
Closer to the middle, “Tangier” brings the sounds of water to the light, strategic ambience, while “India” manipulates mood with flashes of warmth amid bouts of tinkering.
Nearing the end, “Transparent Wave VIII” uses thumping and booming drums for a quick burst of louder sounds, and “as though, again” exits the listen with flute, violin and percussion acting atypicalyl, hardly even recognizable, in the unusual finish.
A truly innovative mind that turns minimalism into an art form, expect nothing but iconoclastic ideas here, and be prepared for an experience that transforms how we percieve music and sound.
Travels well with: James Dashow- Archimedes; Daniel Pesca- Promontory