Albums of the Week (Issue #9)
January 4th, 2025 - January 10th, 2025
1) K.R.T. Wasitodiningrat - Javanese Court Gamelan From the Pura Paku Alaman, Jogyakarta
Javanese Gamelan - 1971
This is a stunning selection of music using the gamelan, which is primarily made of percussion instruments and vocals. As an ensemble group, the gamelan players create a mesmerizing drone style soundtrack that bathes listeners into long, uninterrupted flows of otherworldly sounds.
2) Fairuz - وحدن (Wahdon)
Mūsīqā lubnāniyya - 1979
From one of the most iconic Arabic singers in the world, Fairuz combines western orchestration with traditional Egyptian/Levantine music. With the first half being more traditional and the second half showing more of its western influence, this album is filled with exceptional melodies and gorgeous musical compositions that exemplifies Fairuz's greatness.
3) Sortilège - Larmes de héros
Heavy Metal - 1986
Though dated in its sound, this French metal band took less interest in creating aggression and focused more on melodies which became the album's greatest strength and its most valuable payoff. A very passionate and powerful sendoff for a short-lived yet groundbreaking metal band in the French metal scene.
4) Sequentia/Hidegard von Bingen - Canticles of Ecstasy
Gregorian Chant - 1994
With only vocals, this album creates atmosphere and a wide range of emotions through von Bingen's impressive compositions. Though not a fairly easy album to digest, it rewards viewers with its spiritual execution and a testament to the creative imaginations of mankind.
5) The Trees & The Wild - Zaman, Zaman
Post-Rock - 2016
Based in Indonesia, The Trees & The Wild's 2016 album is a snowball that slowly evolves into an avalanche of noise. Blending Indonesian musical influences with post-rock, the album is emotionally exhilarating and never slows down in its downhill sprint of musical freedom.
Leave comments on any of these albums you’ve listened to or any album recommendations for others wanting to dive more into the artists this week. Until then, keep exploring good music!
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