Esther Cg is a Bristol, UK based solo artist performing under the name, qariaq. qariaq is a conduit for Cg to release transcending music that will entrench listeners with its wild soundscapes layered with dissonance and avant-garde pop sounds. Cg’s debut release entitled lumber limbs is one such project.
lumber limbs opens with “made by walking” that starts off to some ambient sounding wash of ethereal and haunting cadences. The vocals are, like the music, atmospheric and dreamy. The sound contains an unsettling build up with cadences of keys giving off a lilting melodious quality. A looming essence driven by indistinguishable vocals that rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the atmospheric music makes for an other-worldly sound. There are distinctive layers of vocal harmonies and soaring ambient cadences that gradually flows through the track. The cadence is surreal and dream-like that ties in ambient sounds with reverb-drenched vocals. On “follicle full,” the guitar produces a staccato tune layered with dissonance. The vocals match the discord seen in the music breaking and falling with each crescendo. A disarray of chaos as echo-y layers of vocals alternate in and out of the songs in waves. The percussion produces some up-keyed moments in the track. The vocals are ethereal and soaring all at once. Some melodious cadences are carried forth from the keys on the title-track “limber limbs.” The vocals are in turn vulnerable and silky all at the same time. The atmospheric music sounds off in the backdrop. The guitar joins in with the ensemble near the two-minute mark. The cadence really carries with a euphoric and melodious sense. This is a beautiful and lovely melody that has a real nice enveloping flow to it. With a soothing and placating quality, a relaxing vibe could be also detected. Toward the closer “severn,” noodling on the guitar sounds off on this song. A lovely and intricate melody ensues. The vocals are melancholy and accompanied by keys that give off a moody and ominous feel along with a smoldering vibe. The vocals are sung in a near whisper. The music is also really soft with the guitar playing quietly in the backdrop. This all changes near the two-minute mark when a heavy drumming beat paves the track. Ambient sounds come forth from the music. A dreamy cascading vibe, the arias rising and falling sound ghostly – looming and grave cadences. Cg proves she is a versatile artist dabbing in all areas of the record – all the songs are written by her with the recording, performing and producing something she in part collaborates with housemate Paul Stallan. Even the beautiful artwork to the EP is done by the artist – the cover depicting a misshapen form that appears to be a broken mollusk shell that aptly configures into the raw and organic fragmentary soundscapes that hinges off rudimentary sounds and melodies derived deeply from nature. The mysterious form the music takes gives it an appealing cinematic approach. The EP sounds like something t=that comes from a TV show soundtrack like Netflix’s Dark. Enigmatic and powerful with a pulling gravity to the dark recesses of the mind, lumber limbs would suit these types of shows and films. The music overall kind of drones on with sharp bursts of upstarts and light. Sudden and jarring, these insightful junctures gives us a look into an artist willing to experiment with all forms. Instruments off the EP include the baritone guitar, a kalimba (an African thumb piano), guitar pedals and even samples of crunching branches. lumber limbs is a highly innovative EP that immerses listeners into these startling soundscapes that will be sure to surprise. Be sure you have a listen today!
1 Comment
Frances
11/30/2019 03:55:49 pm
Well said and well written. An impressive critique of an impressive musician.
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