Xmachina
Bright Shiny Things, 2026
9/10
The North Carolina pianist, Clara Yang, fleshes out an album that surrounds technology and its effect on creative practice with these 10 tracks that host several world premieres.
“Crystal Preludes, I. Oscillating Figures” opens with a light ambience amid the pretty keys and much grace, and “Clinamina” follows with rumblings keys and bare moments of cinematic flavor.
Lying the middle, the bright spirit of “hammers over the moon” illustrates melodic gestures that are overflowing with joy, while “RoboDream” offers a charming and unpredictable bout via Phil Young’s vision and Yang’s meticulous fingers.
Inching close to the end, “DeepConditioNN Redux” recruits beats and much atmosphere thanks to Suzi Analogue’s contributions, and “Hoyt-Schermerhorn” exits with the bare keys making an intimate impression in the Christopher Cerrone piece that mesmerizes us with its heartfelt mood.
An extremely well thought out effort, Yang touches on ragtime, hip-hop, and, of course, classical moments, where an enlightening body of work continues to hold our attention after repeated listens.
Travels well with: Nicholas Finch- Cellostatus; Elizabeth Newkirk- The Americanist