Hidden Tracks
Everest, 2024
8/10
An adventurous listen that was actually fleshed out while the percussionist Julian Sartorius was traveling from Domodossola, Italy (at 272m above sea level) to the peak of the Weissmies in Switzerland (4017m above sea level), the sounds of the surroundings were utilized to birth new melodies.
The ambient noises and percussive sounds of “272m - 500m” starts the listen with an oddly rhythmic approach of mystery, and “500m - 1000m” follows with swift and mesmerizing drumming nods that unfold with a nearly tribal like appeal.
The middle track belongs to “1500m - 2000m”, where space and tension are manipulated with nature-esque ideas, too, while “2000m - 2500m” turns the sounds of water dripping into patterns of intrigue.
Residing close to the end, “3000m - 3500m” unfolds like field recordings amid firm percussive noises and found object-like creativity, and “3500m - 4017m” exits with a nearly sci-fi presence that only uses organic noisemakers.
Everything here was recorded on this hike and climb, and there were no electronic effects or sound processing used. Instead, Sartorius makes great use of a fertile imagination and tones, noises and rhythms secured from nature.
Travels well with: 3’AIN- Sea Of Stories; Henry Spencer- The Defector