Burn
Atlantic Curve, 2021
9/10
A trio comprised of Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell, both of the always impressive Dead Can Dance, as well as James Chapman, of MAPS, in the producer role, though Burn is a new record, its origins can be traced back to 2012, when Gerrard and Maxwell realized they possessed a chemistry that could extend beyond Dead Can Dance.
“Heleali (The Sea Will Rise)” leads the 7 track listen with a gorgeous and soaring opener as Gerrard’s incredible vocals guide the dreamy landscape that benefits from Maxwell’s keyboards, and “Noyalain (Burn)” follows with layered vocals as strong drumming and building, Eastern melodies meet at a very emotive intersection.
The middle tracks offer us the initially bare beauty of “Deshta (Forever)”, which glides with much mystery and seems the most closely related DCD tune, while “Aldavyeem (A Time To Dance)” indeed will get your body moving to its cultured rhythm and piano acrobatics amid a stylish climate of agile, swift instrumentation.
Approaching the end, “Keson (Until My Strength Returns)” buzzes with warm synth and expressive singing that pushes and pulls with sublime tension, and “Do So Yo (Gather The Wind)” exits the listen with a pretty, textured execution of intimate, spiritual and hypnotic song craft.
A truly unclassifiable effort, world music, electronica, alt-rock and cinematic gestures all reside here, and are fleshed out in ways that few others could emulate. Gerrard just might be the best living singer, and the diverse, often intense songwriting accents her presence well on this fascinating project.
Travels well with: Dead Can Dance- In Concert; Lost In The Trees- A Church That Fits Our Needs