Classical Post has curated a selection of new releases in the form of albums, videos, and streamed concerts to help you discover your new favorite artist! The musical selections range from extraordinarily experimental to pop; all are designed to demonstrate the different directions that classically trained musicians can take.

Charmaine Lee: The Quarantine Concerts and “Reflections On Building A Personal Language”

Experimental vocalist Charmaine Lee has been on a roll this quarantine and has released a mind-blowing quarantine concert, new album titled “Ones”, and an essay. Her quarantine concert from April is the best quarantine concert that I’ve seen. The experimental performance is as calming as ASMR; it alternates between soothing vocal sounds/noises that you didn’t know were possible and a disarming child-like voice coming out of the noisy atmosphere saying sensual phrases related to the mouth like “lick it”. These utterings happen so rarely that one almost forgets about it and becomes once again entranced and mesmerized by the electronic vocal acrobatics. What exactly is she doing vocally? Best to turn to the source and read her piece titled “Reflections On Building A Personal Language”, which she wrote during quarantine. Finally, she also released an album titled “Ones”, which features 25 one minute recordings from her friends around the world in their quarantine soundscapes. It’s a beautiful example of how artists are connecting with each other during this difficult time. 

Soft Talon: Ruin

Classically-trained violinist and pop-artist Soft Talon has released her debut EP Ruin and it's an incredible example of how classical training can successfully translate into brilliant pop music. The most classically-inspired track is appropriately titled “Adagio”, and clearly demonstrates a thorough understanding of harmony, features lush strings, and stunning vocals. The lyric “watching the days drift by with my eyes closed” is particularly apt in this current moment. As far as the track “I Counted” is concerned; I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to it as it’s been on repeat. 

Nick Jozwiak: "...in which we find a constitutive outside to every problem."

Bassist Nick Jozwiak has released his second single for an upcoming album titled "Rainbow Impulse Therapy". The track, titled "...in which we find a constitutive outside to every problem.", is set to an oceanic video. There is an interesting trend in focusing on the minute among musicians creating music during quarantine. Just as Charmaine Lee created miniatures in “Ones”, Jozwiak zooms in on blades of grass in this calming new release. The music itself is ambient and electronic; the perfect nightcap. 

Kyle Bruckmann: Triptych

Kyle Bruckmann’s new album “Triptych”, which drops on June 1, could easily be called “Sounds from the Loop”. Be prepared to have your mind shifted to a new gear when you press play. The first track, “For John Barth” is heavy, breathing, and breathtaking. I was particularly excited for the track titled “For James Turrell” and wasn’t disappointed. Bruckmann creates sonic lightbeams that over the course of the 21 minutes shift and clear the headspace of the listener; a sonic therapy. Simply put, this is not what one imagines when contemplating a solo oboe and electronics album. But it should be. 

Amber Evans Performs Multitrack “Kondalilla”

Soprano Amber Evans has shared a multitrack version of Stephen Leek’s “Kondalilla” for treble voices. In this case it is many of the same treble voice. As musicians explore multitrack performances, the question arises of how will composers write for multitracking? Evans’ impressive version of the piece is beautifully done and feels like another version of the work. At the end of “Kondalilla” the parts come together; when it’s only one person the narrative of the piece changes from a group of people coming together to uniting with oneself. One thing that composers have in mind when writing for choir is considering how experimental and technically challenging the parts can be depending on the group that one is writing for. If writing for one person who specializes in extended vocal techniques, will we see more experimental choir works on the horizon for one multitracking singer?

Nick Norton: Lake Village Inn West

When performing the music of John Cage, one seeks to let the music be and not add too much vibrato or romanticize it. How then does Cage’s music translate when arranged for MIDI? Nick Norton explores this idea in his debut solo album “Lake Village Inn West” in his arrangement of Cage’s “In a Landscape” alongside original compositions by Norton. Self-described by Norton as “stunningly-subpar”, the MIDI arrangement is ironic, serious and lovely simultaneously in it’s own electronic way. What makes this MIDI arrangement really pop is the context. It is last on the album following Norton’s hauntingly beautiful composition “Three Graces at Perigree”. Crickets are the drone in this track, accompanied by a cooly contemplative vibraphone and buzzing strings and flute leading to quick outbursts amid the flowing musical landscape. As the MIDI follows this track infused with the natural, it’s all the more noticeable that we’ve shifted musical gears from live performance to the computerized.

Other Plastics: “Overtime Liquor” 

Other Plastics is a duo of composers/improvisers that explore the unruly behavior of digital feedback networks and their new album “Overtime Liquor” is set to release on June 1. The duo creates electronic systems that are designed to glitch and fail, a metaphor that is poignant in the current moment, resulting in gripping sonic landscapes. The electronics have distinct personalities and the album as a whole has a wildly dystopian feel.  

ShoutHouse: "2's and 3's"

ShoutHouse has released an uplifting and energizing video featuring “2's and 3's" by Will Healy featuring MC Nuri نوري Hazzard and David Valbuena. The video, which was recorded pre-quarantine, captures the vibe that we are all craving right now. The delicate string trio moment is my personal favorite; check it out to add a dose of fun to your day.

NA4NA: A New Age for New Age Vol. 2

Clara Warnaar’s series NA4NA will release their second volume of new, new age music written by non-new age artists on June 3! One track, “Infinite Seasons of Infinite Change” by Thick Paint, has been released and the electro jam sets a hopeful tone for the album. NA4NA selects tracks for the volumes from a selection process; this second volume features music by Matt Evans, Julie Hill, Thought Tempo, Girls that Wear Ties and more. 

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