Pandemia
Neuma, 2023
8/10
An extremely unique listen, Collin J Rae (Ultra Vivid Scene, Slug, Telium Group, etc) and mysterious Red Gnein Sextet make a very calculated, noisy and experimental listen here that responds to 3 summers in isolation.
“Pandemiya” starts the listen with a mechanical-esque droning that occasionally seems like field recordings are present, as it emits waves of intrigue, and “Heimsfaraldur” follows with a similar approach that blends synthetic versus organic noise.
“Trapan” arrives at the halfway point and flows with a lower register of sci-fi like exploration, while “Janga Kubwa” involves an almost nature like presence of an ominous storm on the horizon.
“Pandemikku” and “Jayiha” exit the listen, where the former hisses with an animal like slithering, and “Jayiha” finishes with all sorts of playful tinkering and precise static that’s as hypnotic as it is fascinating.
A companion listen to Rae’s best selling photography books, Pandemic Portraits Volumes 1 & 2, each song title is pandemic in a different language, and the sonic landscape is rich, cathartic and mesmerizing.
Travels well with: Gilbert Galindo- Terrestrial Journeys; Galan Trio- Kinesis