Greg Davis Dives Into Compositional Properties of Prime Numbers with ‘New Primes’
On New Primes, Vermont experimentalist Greg Davis explores process-based composition, with a little help from a record label that revels in the concept.
contemporary classical
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Plays Seriously and Seriously Plays on ‘Let’s Turn It Into Sound’
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith has created a mirror of our tumultuous modern world in Let’s Turn It Into Sound where we can see our faults and boundless possibilities.
Nancy Mounir Mines Music from Egypt’s Past to Write Its Profound Musical Future
Sampling recordings over a century old, Egyptian composer Nancy Mounir delivers an album where the past and present converse to help write the future.
Kajsa Magnarsson and Marta Forsberg Make Eccentric Sound Art on ‘Kompisitioner’
Kajsa Magnarsson and Marta Forsberg entertain the more adventurous listener with their variegated worlds of sonic experimentation and this thoughtful exploit into high-concept sound art.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Brian Chase Joins Pianist/Composer Anthony Coleman for ‘Arcades’
Anthony Coleman and Brian Chase’s Arcades is a celebration of sound, sound reacting to sound, and the effect of two musicians constantly upping the ante.
Jeremiah Chiu and Marta Sofia Honer Build a New Sense of place on ‘Recordings From the Åland Islands’
Recordings From the Åland Islands goes beyond soundscape ambience and utopian visions of isolation and delves into the living connections between people, place, and sound.
Stephanie Lamprea Filters Poetry Through Bold Vocal Interpretation on ‘Quaking Aspen’
On her debut solo album Quaking Aspen, Colombian-American soprano Stephanie Lamprea makes a bold artistic statement that’s exciting and innovative.
Christopher Otto and JACK Quartet Imbue Music with Mathematics on ‘rag’sma’
Christopher Otto and experimental string ensemble JACK Quartet apply the concept of “just intonation” to create a stirring, intense triple string quartet.
Jessica Pavone’s ‘Lull’ Is a Four-Movement Composition of Emotion and Depth
Backed by an eclectic group of musicians, the latest work from violist/composer Jessica Pavone is centered on intuition and instinct.
Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra Make Dreamlike Sounds on ‘Kôrôlén’
The appeal of Toumani Diabaté’s Kôrôlén is manifold. It features some of Mali’s finest musicians working with one of the world’s most versatile orchestras.
MONO Bring the Heaviness on Stunning Live Set ‘Beyond the Past’
A live album commemorating the 20th anniversary of Japanese post-rock’s MONO shows this deservedly acclaimed band at the height of their powers.
Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders Create Experimental Electrojazz on ‘Promises’
Sparseness aside, there is an explosive energy lurking just under the surface of Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders’ Promises.