Verdant
Neuma, 2021
8/10
A versatile composer whose esteemed work finds unique places to reside between art and science, David Dunn certainly knows how to manipulate organic and synthetic sounds like few others. Here, in one just one long track, his vision explores field recordings from his New Mexico home as he injects ambient exploration to build rich layers and harmonic patterns.
“Verdant” leads with the sounds of careful yet playful electronic bleeps, not unlike what is found in much of today’s electro-pop, as bit and pieces of birds chirping, animals squeaking and the sounds of his backyard landscape are inserted strategically.
Ten minutes or so into the composition, wind chimes present themselves as the setting turns calmer yet more experimental with the electronic gestures, though by the halfway point the setting is quite bare, even serene.
Nearing the end, the scene has become cinematic in an almost sci-fi sort of way, but still with the occasional bird noises, as a warm spirit surrounds the mesmerizing, even hypnotic song craft.
Although this is a more traditional outing for Dunn, it’s still a very detailed effort where very high resolution recordings, sonically bold layers and two electric violins help construct an atypically melodic and tonally distinct experience that, even at its 78 minute running time, never out welcomes its stay.
Travels well with: Agnese Toniutti- Subtle Matters; James Caldwell- Pocket Music