Album Reviews: February 2023: Igor Ballereau, United Isolation Ensemble, Clara Engel

Photo by Sinitta Leunen 

Igor Ballereau – ijkl

French composer Igor Ballereau leads the listener down complex corridors of dark piano, expressive guitar, gutsy percussion and strange sonic experiments on his recent album ijkl. Field recordings of crumbling earth and falling stones are set against sporadic and discordant strikes on “immer noch ich”. The delicacy of “supertune” with its finger piano, acoustic guitar, and analogue samples marries in a compelling tapestry. Elsewhere, the disturbing drone of “orbe du sentiment” sends jitters down the spine, and “boîte noire” is a more playful and absurdist exercise in using sonics as pillars of sound in what at times sounds like a haunted house. Ballereau has created a peculiar sonic world on “ijkl” that uses its own lexicology of experimental music to cast a profoundly compelling spell on the listener.  ★★★

United Isolation Ensemble – Lockdown #35

An intriguing project from a multitude of musicians, United Isolation Ensemble, came about during the pandemic. It became a way for artists from various disciplines to collaborate, location independent, through the power of file sharing. The Ensemble is a prolific project on its 35th compilation in just over two years. The 20-track collection is not always coherent enough to match its high ambitions, but when it is, it hits the mark with impressive ingenuity. While noodles alone don’t make a dish, Lockdown #35 is an ultra-rich collection of collaborative oddball experiments. Some highlight from the compilation include the spoken word urgency of “Hot Lawn Aromas”, the sinister vocal rhythms of “Who Wrecks in Boo Juice?, and the visceral soundscapes of “Fathom Heirs’ Row”. The distinction of best title goes to “So What? So Wrestle!”, a tense smattering of frantic percussive strikes. This is a long, abstract listen for those seeking mind-bending escapism. ★★★½

Clara Engel – Their Invisible Hands

Torontonian Clara Engel has released music since 2004, amassing an impressive discography on Bandcamp. Their most recent album, Their Invisible Hands, is evidence of experience. Engel is an artist in complete control of their craft, though there isn’t much speed to control on these ruminative numbers. The are some bizarre song ideas, like the slow-burning “Golden Egg”, the out-there lyrics of which obscure what would’ve been a lovely instrumental track. Elsewhere, the psychedelic folk of “Murmuration”, where circular guitar lines, mourning strings, and temperamental vocals bring things together in fashion. Engle’s voice is lovely, full of nuance and experience. However, the instrumental aspects work exceptionally well across Their Invisible Hands. For example, the instrumental and bittersweet charm of “Rowing Home Through a Sea of Golden Leaves” is an album highlight. However, there are times when Engel’s voice carries their freeform stream of consciousness songwriting, like the mesmerizing “Glass Mountain”, where they draw the listener into their curious and emotional world. ★★★