For The Olives
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The New Orleans outfit Trendafilka make quite an impression with this sophomore album, where seasonal and ritual songs from Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece, Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania are fleshed out by the eleven-piece, all-female vocal ensemble.
“Chichovite Konye” starts the listen with the harmonic and radiating voices showing a diverse range, and “Zamruknala e Moma Yana” follows with a soothing approach of eloquent singing that’s immediately gripping.
Moving into the middle, “Joniniu Sutartine” layers the vocals strategically for a mesmerizing effect, while “Zaspalo e Chelebiche” is a pretty and heartfelt album highlight that showcases the rich tone of the sublime vocals.
Arriving near the end, “Po Moryu” uses a call and response technique with soaring results, and “Zvezda Vechernitsa” exits with a bright tone of colorful and globally embraceable sentiment that’s delivered flawlessly.
The languages sung on the album are many, and the spring calling, summer solstice ritual, harvest and winter ritual songs are executed with plenty of folk nods and much worldly flavor via the European polyphonic traditions.
Travels well with: Steven Keene- This World Is Your World; Yosef Gutman Levitt-The World And Its People