A Recommendation A Week (A-RAW) #2
Writing about music is like dancing about architecture
Frank Zappa
Brainchild of serial sonic manipulator, Jason Kohnen (aka Bong-Ra), Here Be Dragons is the sophomore effort of this off-kilter Dutch collective. Over the course of 9 songs, this septet weave a dark tapestry of ominous, eldritch atmosphere that nonetheless feels strangely comforting, like melancholia often does. This is original music that while being daringly experimental is also constrained & subtle; gloomy, yet playful; familiar, yet tantalisingly just-out-of-reach mysterious.
The ensemble employs a string-heavy approach – cellos, double bass, violins, guitars galore! – that what would have been a cacophony with less talented composers, becomes far more soothing with their deft touch. Sparse, silky soft and sultry melismas of the vocalist float over those lush soundscapes.
Few might find this music tad bit too dreary, but, however, the not-so-obvious nuances hiding just below the surface reveal themselves over repeated dedicated listens, especially if done in a suitable set-and-setting, preferably nocturnal. Use headphones for maximum effect.