The side project of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and folks from Collections of Colonies of Bees put together a breezy but stellar debut record, Unmap, that just may conjure an out-of-body experience.
The band immediately contradicts any references its name might suggest of loud explosions on the opener "Husks and Shells," an acoustic track recorded as if not to wake the children. But the choir part’s true, with Vernon’s ethereal howls, and sometimes just animal noises, offering a dreamy overlay to the band’s rhythmic instrumentation.
Less folky and reliant on lyrics than Bon Iver, Volcano Choir incorporates more experimental and worldly sounds into its arsenal, as on the restrained Japanese feel of "And Gather"; "Cool Knowledge," which is full of weird vocal stylings reminiscent of Bjork's Medulla album; and then there's ambient instrumental pieces like "Dote."
Underneath it all there's a spiritual energy at work, particularly on "Youlagy," a soulful version of “Amazing Grace,” and the album's best track, "Seeplymouth," an epic seven minutes of delicate but propulsive percussion and Vernon's angelic falsetto serenade.
It's lovely enough to leave the ground behind.
Check out "Island, IS":
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