Ionophore – Sinter Pools (CD Album – Malignant Antibody)
Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic, dark-ethereal & ambient.
Background/Info: Ionophore is a project set up by Jan Hendrich (Qepe), Ryan Honaker (Gift Anon) and Leila Abdul-Rauf. Leila Abdul-Rauf has already been involved in multiple projects and probably is the most familiar name from the trio. Last year she released a solo-album at Malignant Antibody (cf. “Insomnia”). Ionophore previously self-released the album “Through Light Fractures” on cassette format and now has joined the big Malignant family.
Content: “Sinter Polls” is a surprising and somewhat challenging work for its sound and influences. It definitely sounds ambient and cinematographic-like and always carried by dark sonic atmospheres, but the most exciting element is the rather ethereal format of the work. Leila’s vocals reveal a kind of shimmering ethereal timbre of voice emerging from imaginary crypts and secret corridors. Her voice literally hangs over the songs like a mysterious spirit haunting lost castles in the Highlands. The compositions are carried by a kind of lazy cadence, which makes it all more accessible although very particular.
Another noticeable point consists of the arrangements. There’s a twist between electronic arrangements sometimes leading into a real, but delicious capharnaüm and at the other side more delicate and neo-classic inspired arrangements.
The production is really intriguing and a fascinating experience with a visual strength. The tracks have been meticulously created and reaching multiple climaxes. There’s a real kind of passion coming through, which you especially will notice in some details like little electronic bleeps and little effects, which are mainly noticeable when using headphones.
+ + + : Ionophore reveals a new kind of ambient-cinematographic and ethereal work. This album is a creative source of modern and innovative music based upon a real harmony between the different influences. The album also reveals an impressive sonic canvas.
– – – : I can imagine some ambient ‘purists’ will not be pleased by this mishmash of influences so this is first of all a work for open-minded music lovers.
Conclusion: Ionophore is a great surprise revealing a visionary collective that has created something ‘new’ from familiar music genres.
Best songs: “12 Minutes”, “Unchecked”, “Post”, “Checked”.
Rate: (8).
Band: www.facebook.com/Ionophore-478830972166630
Label: www.malingnantrecords.com / www.facebook.com/malignantrecords
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
