Artist:
HÄANA
Title:
Leya
Label:
Desert Trax
Released:
8th
June
This
is one
of the first times
I've come across New York based Icelandic cinematic sonic bass
producer and violinist HÄANA and on by the strength of this release
I'm glad I have had
the opportunity to experience more.
She's graced the stage with the Rolling Stones, Kanye West and Moby
as well as appearing on releases with Irma Thomas, Beats Antique and
An-Ten-Nae and performances at various music & yoga festivals around the
world (Lightning in a Bottle, Envision, Wanderlust and more). Drawing inspiration from Massive Attack, Phaeleh,
Trentemøller, & Ólafur Arnalds
in her own productions.
This
release begins with the original version soft synths and piano
instantly bring the Massive Attack influence to mind and the ethereal
voices and strings that follow only strengthens
that feeling. I
have to say I really love this piece of classical electronica.
First
up on the re-mix duties is acid crunk pioneer An-Ten-Nae who drops
the bass like a concrete slab but then lets the ethereal vocals do
the work while the music winds like an old fashioned watch before the
bass rejoins and the piece is allowed to flow with some excellent
emphasis on the violin. It's a really cleverly constructed re-mix and
the only fault I can find is like the original it's rather short.
Next
up is Kaminanda, who utilises the ethereal voice and piano to the max
with lots of little well placed glitches, bubbles before the violin
takes precedent he's applied his psy-dub techniques to perfection
with his take and is the first to push the piece over the 7 minute
mark.
Haj
I Ji who is a new name to me opts for the shorter length again and
growls a slow paced deep bass and military like drum underneath the
piano and strings like a dark brooding underworld looking up at
heaven.
Twin
Shape who is another unfamiliar name to me finish the release with an
atmospheric intro, psychedelic synths and chugging bassline before
the ethereal vocals lift it into an almost progressive style with the
brakes on. As with all the previous takes it has it own appeal and
does the original justice.
It
seems to me that HÄANA has stepped out of the shadows to bask in the
sunlight and I wish her all the best. Going by this release she has
it all going for her … musical and vocal talent, a good ear for
music with the ability to transpose it into her own productions and
if that wasn't enough on top of that she appears to be photogenically easy on
the eye.
Review
by Woodzee.
Links
No comments:
Post a Comment