There is something in the way of an inherent tragedy, unfolding with delicate balance, across ‘Solar Excess Sacrificial Ecstasies (Willie O’ Winsbury, Sumer is icumen in).’
The tender 10-minute instrumental ballad, presented across four pieces within, is the latest single from Dublin visual artist, composer, and sound designer, Aoibhín Redmond – known as NIMF. Ahead of her debut album Sirenoscape, out March 6 via Cursed Monk Records, Fiadh Productions, and Camellia Sinensis, ‘Solar Excess Sacrificial Ecstasies’ brilliantly navigates across a shattering dramaturgy.
Through the haze of a shivering coastline, the squawks of seagulls hover above as a ritualistic melody of medieval influence slowly presents itself to the listener. Channeling the power of American composer Kali Malone, the song builds anticipation.
The crackle of fire and slow-beating drums like a heartbeat interrupt the procession, delicately allowing alluring chants to arrive with haunting precision. This section feels haunting, and there exists a foreboding sense of danger ahead.
This makes way for the song’s brilliant height, as the drums speed up in a call to arms. As if heralding an upcoming battle, the echoes of chants begin to slowly fade. The brilliant design of this soundscape makes one feel helpless to the numb chaos suddenly all around.
But just as the enveloping fear reaches its pinnacle, there is relief. A slow descent that rightfully feels joyous as the anxious swell dissipates. The final section of the song brilliantly allows for a sense of repose, and reflection.
Sirenoscape, written, recorded, composed and produced in full by Redmond from her base in New Jersey, arrives during a period of intense performance activity.
Last September saw a critically acclaimed Irish tour across Dublin, Belfast, Sligo and beyond. Alongside major appearances including supporting composer Drew McDowall, Redmond also performed within the experimental music project Nurse With Wound’s (Steven Stapleton) exhibition at Gallery X, and a series of shows across New Jersey and Pennsylvania on bills with artists such as American composer David E. Williams.
‘Solar Excess Sacrificial Ecstasies (Willie O’ Winsbury, Sumer is icumen in)’ is available on all streaming platforms and can be purchased on bandcamp.
NIMF: Instagram/ YouTube / Keychange
Review by Joshua Gutierrez
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