Exit Paradise
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The Oregon composer and author Daniel Gall makes quite an impression with this first album, which serves as a companion to his novel, Land Of Cults, and welcomes some impressive musicians.
Part One: The City Of Cults opens with Miguel Vargas’ adventurous flute radiating much beauty and warmth across “Entangled”, and isn’t long until “Ritual Dance Of The Grass Worshippers” recruits Nirvana Villegas’ animated clarinet and Luisana Hernandez’s well timed violin for the rich and unpredictable chamber climate.
Further along, “The Color Wheel” lands on Part Two: Paradise uses Carlos Ruiz and Fabian Zambrano’s cellos strategically amid the meticulous interaction, while Part Three: Eruption/Regenesis leads with “PAROXYSM/Act Of God” and showcases Laura Giannini’s dizzying violin prowess via a swift and detailed presence.
Deeper still, “extremophile/HIDE AND GO PEAK” allows for Giannini’s finger acrobatics to shine in the violin filled delivery, and “caldera/SALVATION” exits with an emotive and heartfelt finish of timeless and memorable strings.
An effort that has its origins in a monthly dance film series called Project Screendance, the carefully fleshed out tracks touch on chamber, classical and modern dance ideas that relays a musical story about a wanderer on his first pilgrimage to the City of Cults, and is highly articulate and enthralling.
Travels well with: Meerenai Shim- The Audacity; Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych