Bjork never takes it easy
By Iñigo Lopez Palacios
Fossora
bjork
A little independent
We live in an era of historical revisionism where nothing is immutable, let alone the ever-controversial lists of the best albums of the 1990s that some publications are reissuing. Works that were considered irrefutable up to 10 years ago are now being overtaken and replaced by others that were ignored in their day. But that doesn’t seem to affect Björk. The Icelandic albums remain firmly on these lists, which seems to show that they are as appreciated by the new generation of critics as their peers were then. Björk remains an undisputed artist.
And not because it’s easy. This is their first album in seven years and makes their predecessor Vulnicura more accessible. Wind instruments combined with electronic beats and a style of singing that is increasingly reminiscent of a surreal opera. Fossora is possibly the most difficult of the 10 albums he has released throughout his career. No one expects a commercial album from Björk at this point, since she hasn’t been interested in lightness for a long time, but Fossora borders on the extreme. You have to get to the sixth theme, “Ancestress,” starring his eldest son Siri, to find anything relatively melodic, though it’s far from a radio hit. There is no “Hidden Place” or “Hyperballad” in Fossora. The entire album is a journey as passionate as it is uncomfortable, inspired by the earth and in particular by the world of mushrooms. He’s a specialist in giving meaning to everything, infusing everything with metaphors and references that only the most die-hard fans seem to reach. And some unique employees. In this case The Hamrahlíð Choir or Serpentwithfeet (who also worked with the late Virgil Abloh). And one of those names that stands out in the world of underground electronic music: if previously they pulled The Haxan Cloak and before Arca, this time it’s Gabber Modus Operandi, an Indonesian duo that mixes what is known as gabber Rhythm Dutch high-speed hardcore techno from the 80’s with local styles from this Asian archipelago. A thrilling frenzy that conquered Björk, as during the pandemic that kept her stuck in Reykjavík longer than ever in her life, she devoted herself to throwing parties at her house where that trepan-like yet hilarious sound was king.
Also attending is her daughter Isadora, that girl she talked about in Medúlla (2005), her album about motherhood, and who floated in Vulnicura, the album of Björk’s split from Matthew Barney, with whom her custody was disputed at the time Has. Today, at the age of 19, she is – it sounds terrible, but there’s no other way to put it – a model and actress. And he left his mother’s house, almost at the same time as the death of the clan’s grandmother, the hippie who introduced Björk to art. Fossora is a difficult but rewarding album that seems to be about how life finds its way through death. And how the games of the past leave a void to learn from.
another name for love
By Yahweh M. de la Cavada
Universal tonality
William Parker
center /
AUM loyalty
It must be assumed that the only reason why this recording, made almost 20 years ago, has not been released until now is the intense creative activity of William Parker, one of the busiest musicians in improvised music, whose discography is regularly and profusely expanding, always with an artistic greatness that very few can match. Parker is a rare example of a universal musician: emerged on the free jazz scene of the seventies, over the years he has immersed himself in the music of different eras and continents and in his work, without breaking away from the black tradition that dates back to the Blues reaches to the free arises from all sorts of roots.
Parker’s concept of “universal tonality” is broad and abstract – the double-bassist describes it as “another name for love” or “the beginning of sound as a metaphor for all things beautiful”. But also from a musical point of view, the musician refers to the most authentic improvisation and the merging of different musical voices to create something together. Thus, this unrepeatable recording documents a meeting of musicians of different generations and backgrounds to improvise together, based on a few brief notes by Parker. The mix is genuine and inspiring: the Japanese koto or the Korean geomungo join orthodox instruments such as saxophone, trumpet, piano or electric guitar, just as young musicians naturally interact with masters such as Grachan Moncur, Billy Bang or Dave Burrell. .
In Universal Tonality, the improvisers are unique elements of tonal expression—not just musically: Parker says his music is less about notes and more about sounds—; Coming from different horizons and forging their own paths, they all bring unique experiences and voices to accompany Parker in the creation of an absolutely awe-inspiring work.
An eclectic will
By Beatriz G Aranda
hold the girl
Rina Sawayama
dirty hit /
music as usual
If we look at the shape, this disk is a multifaceted artifact that is difficult to locate. The background is different: British-Japanese composer Rina Sawayama uses her second album to explain (and to explain herself) that not everyone fits into the counterculture. On the first track “Minor Feelings” he sings: “All my life I’ve feel out of place”. Hold the Girl moves freely and uncompromisingly across genres (Electronic Rock, Nu Metal, Epic Pop, UK Garage) and textures. Lady Gaga or Shania Twain are some of the references, although Sawayama’s true message is ideological and has to do with will and freedom. You’ll be a career hazard: Not only is she a successful pop diva, but she also has a degree in political science from Cambridge.
Hymns by Aluche
By Carlos Marcos
full moon
NATO and War
NYW
On the streets of Aluche, the Madrid neighborhood where this rap duo frequents, sports betting businesses are growing and conversations are focused on the present: the future is not even in sight. Natos and Waor have portrayed well this reality that is born on the sidewalks of the working-class neighborhoods of big cities. And it seems that they have done well: it is currently the most popular Spanish hip-hop band. This is their eighth album, a respectable number that pushes them to broaden their focus. It’s not just hip hop anymore; Soul, dance music and even rock have a place in his proposal. And always with the ability to compose hymns for the youth who neither care nor care what is coming. Don’t miss them in concert.
A happy pan-African babel
By Javier Losilla
archeology
Montparnasse music
Real World X
With the song “Panter” released in March, the duo of French-Algerian producer Nadjib Ben Bella and South African DJ Aero Manyelo opened Real World X, Peter Gabriel’s new label. In September he released a five-part self-titled EP and now he’s releasing that first album. In it, the duo traces a sinuous rhythmic line connecting the Maghreb with Johannesburg, a route that makes a special stop in the Congo. Members of Konono Nº1, Kasai Allstars and Mbongwana Star, among others, take part in this journey that goes beyond the sound junkyard set up in the streets of Kinshasa, at a crossroads of organic and synthetic musical languages that create a dialogue and a happy and joyful atmosphere build exciting Pan-African Babel.
closed circle
By Fermin Lobaton
beginning and origin
Rosario La Tremendita
ONerpm
The cantaora closes the circle. This is the second part of a promised double album the first one had with Tremenda late last year. The themes are the same as on this recording (plus an added bonus track) but with a return to origin from the future where the artist is installed. Leaving the electric and electronic arrangements, he returns to the organic nudity of the traditional accompanying flamenco guitar, with a careful choice of teachers, including Riqueni. The cantes had a simple inversion: that was their point of departure, and on their return they lose neither their essence nor the personality and style of their creator who created her own recognizable voice.
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