New Music Monday: In the Running :: Solilians
Their label describes them as “Jewish mystics/drone/space pop explorers” and that gives you a pretty good starting point.
Solilans is the project of keyboardist Benjamin Malkin and began when Malkin wrote a 7” soundtrack for Ian Densford’s Binah Comics, a “super-powers tale sans violence”
Now a quartet featuring two vocalists, Neptune Sweet (Electric Djinn) and Sharon Malkin.
In the Running 2 is the second in I Heart Noise’s ongoing In the Running series and the second featuring Solilans. The first was a split EP with Boston’s Skyjelly. But this release find the attention placed on Solilans. As far as I can tell, “Klezmische” is a clever play on the group’s fusion of Kosmische with Klezmer music. If that’s difficult to imagine, you’re on the right track.
Fusing psychedelic, ambient, drone, and folk and even Indian instrumentation, the group creates sonic soundscapes that wash over you and wrap around your soul. With hypnotic, trance-like vocals, you might think of something along the lines of Sky Cries Mary (anyone remember them?). But this is truly original and creative music. There’s a balance throughout the release that weaves in and out itself. The disparate elements create a tension that keeps you engaged while the swooning vocals and repeating loops provide counteract that tension with mesmerizing effect. This balance between tension and release/relaxation is a wonderful musical theme throughout. I can’t wait to hear more from Solilans.
Highly recommended.
Preview:
The fine and fabulous folks over at Foxy Digitalis premiered the video for “Old Schmeckled Hen” earlier this year. Check it: