Hypnodrone Ensemble was formed by Canadians Aidan Baker (Nadja/Caudal/Tavare) and Eric Quach (Thisquietarmy) in Berlin, Germany in 2014, with Drummers Felipe Salazar (Caudal), Jérémie Mortier, and David Dunnett also signing up. The band's line-up has fluctuated over the years, this time in addition to founding members Baker and Quach, we have Drummers Angela Martinez Muñoz (nunofyrbeeswax/Tavare), Fiona McKenzie (Halma) & Sara Neidorf (Mellowdeath/Aptera), Bassist Gareth Sweeney (Caudal) and guest vocalist Lane Shi Otayonii (otay:onii/Elizabeth Colour Wheel).
The Problem Is In The Sender - Do Not Tamper With The Receiver follows up seven, yes seven, live albums as well as numerous 'proper' studio recordings that start with 2015's The Shape of Space, 2018's Plays Orchestral Favourites and 2020's Gets Polyamorous. Not bad for a group who have only really been around for a decade; and the likes of Guns 'N' Roses should hang their heads in shame, especially with the results a guaranteed washout. Anyway, I digress...
Never has a track been more aptly named than 'Transit', the sonic equivalent of a journey into unknown realms. The transcendental nature of the piece is strongly highlighted thanks to Lane's bewitching Vocals, with the music adopting a hypnotic Psychedelic sensibility ala Ash Ra Tempel and Amon Düül. There are also shades of contemporary Space-Rockers such as The Cosmic Dead and Giöbia. This is a masterfully crafted slab of sonic bliss and a fine way to open the record. The album's shortest track at over eight minutes, unbelievably, is 'Desdemona'. Look up that name on Google and you'll be met with Othello's tragic love interest of the same name. Lane's excellent Vocals mirror Desdemona's doomed entreaties against various reported pernicious rumours of unfaithfulness. Gareth's steady Bass work provides a solid backdrop giving the track with a doomy, almost Post-Punk flavour. One of the darker sounding numbers on the album but no less enrapturing.
The start of 'Underdogs' showcases Hypnodrone Emsemble's Jazzier tendencies not previously witnessed on preceding tracks with Drumming evocative of the legendary Elvin Jones. One is also reminded of the 'World Music' of Yusef Lateef what with the Middle-Eastern exotic tinge on display and overall tribal feel. Things start to settle down a little as the band start to find their groove and their trademark washes of Drone goodness slowly unfold. 'Alchemia' features genteel Folk what with the delicate acoustic style picking that introduces the track as well as really lovely detectable low-key Post-Rock touches that recall Talk Talk's last two releases before their disbandment (Spirit of Edenand Laughing Stock). This beautiful number as a whole shimmers with a Shoegaze flourish and affords for a divine listening experience. Finally, bonus track 'Punctum' comes in at a mammoth twenty five minutes forty nine, making it the album's longest track at quite some distance. The Ambient, Musique Concrète atmospherics nod to vintage early Kraftwerk (especially Kraftwerk 2) while the offbeat Vocals recall the late Damo Suzuki of Can and the Motorik steady Drumbeat of bandmate Jaki Liebezeit, whose playing had an uncanny knack for combining the funky and cerebral. In case you hadn't picked up by now, there is a definite Krautrock influence present. It concludes the record on a mesmeric note, especially for fans of that aforementioned genre such as myself.
Despite its length The Problem Is... doesn't drag at any stage, nor did I find my mind wandering. Improvisational music can be guilty of veering towards the self-indulgent, but that's far from the case here thanks to a highly assured collection of songs. Strongly recommended.
Comments