what came before me is going after me
No Hay Discos, 2025
8/10
Listen to what came before me is going after me
The music and text of Zihua Tan is fleshed out by the always impressive No Hay Banda, where the 2 lengthy pieces blend experimental, electroacoustic and contemporary classical ideas.
“remnants present” occupies the first half with Noah Bierstone’s adventurous and dynamic percussive abilities. For 16+ minutes, the strategic rattling and thumping gongs intrigue us via the animated delivery.
The title track finishes out the listen, and it recruits Sarah Albu’s stunning voice, unpredictable strings thanks to Adrianne Munden-Dixon (violin) and Audréanne Filion’s (cello), Bierstone’s percussion and Daniel Anez’s ondes martenot for the very colorful climate that can seem like found objects, has the ability to buzz cinematically, and showcases powerful harmonics amid the creative and noisy gestures.
A sonically engaging experience that is artistic and iconoclastic, the extended techniques and skilled abstraction surrounds the unconventional, complex and theatrical performance.
Travels well with: No Hay Banda- Il Teatro Rosso; Nick Storring- Mirante