Other Faces - Other Faces [Review]
About Other Faces
Accomplished debut releases are few and far between, but Dan Langa, Kristian de Leon and Adam Lutz, now known as Other Faces, are just about to hit the ground running. They're an electroacoustic trio whose development was aided by the New York State Council of the Arts – a worthy city body which provided rehearsal time and support during their early stages, and who are now repaying the city's faith and investment with interest. I'm a bit unsure about who does what exactly, apart from the fact that they all chip in on the compositional front, but they certainly play well together. Apparently there's also a visual component to the project, as teased by the glitchy press shot collage, which if it's anything as good as the music will be something to behold.
Other Faces Review
Their self-titled six-track album for New York's Cmntxrecords is dropping in November and as I've had a pre-release listen I thought I'd drop an early review, but don't feel left out, there are already two tracks available on your streaming service of choice so you can get involved before the full release drops.
The aptly titled 'intro' quietly opens the album door with an ambient neoclassical welcome, the strings warming up then melting into a lovingly detailed, glacially evolving, wind-enhanced soundscape. 'Field' then cements the ambient endeavour, whilst adding a bucolic vibe and further teasing the project's acoustic integrity, with Riley Palmer assisting on some light-touch percussion, whilst a piano drifts through the subtle, field recording-augmented machine ambience encouraged by a chirping flute sample. Just lovely.
As you'd imagine, 'Friction' gives the recording a bit of a yank and twist; even the quieter opening hinting that there are clouds beyond its horizon. The musicians sense it too, embracing the chillier electronics and deciding to go with the gloomier, but not despairing flow until the album's first bolts of lightning strike the track's final moments. Fear not though, 'Distance's' warmer vibe then parts the grey skies with an epic slice of past-future minimalism that cascades cheerfully, then insistently as the strings build towards its ecstatic conclusion. After that much serotonin there has to be a comedown, and 'Hold' then takes a moment to contemplate the preceding euphoria; the gently lapping, neoclassical waves providing a welcome moment of reflection before 'Hold's' clanking percussion, cinematic drama and sonic stabs have you leaping out of your chair for a finale not to forget.
Every track is a winner; quite whether they hang together as a fluid long-form release is something to discuss, but the quality and potential are non-negotiable. Now, for those visuals and the sophomore.
If this cultured, neoclassical, electroacoustic fusion is hitting the spot then you should definitely check out what Magda Drozd is doing.
Playlist Companion
Find Other Faces in the Slow Neoclassical Playlist.
