Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Retina EP (Leaf)
4/5
By: Liane Escorza
Andreas Werliin and Mariam Wallentin’s from Sweden form Wildbirds & Peacedrums, an experimental project that focuses solely on drums, percussion and electronic samples played by Andreas and multi-layered vocals of earthy intensity sung by Mariam. But their work is not a simple sum of 1+1, but a totally experimental way of approaching sound. It is clear that improvisation is an organic part of their language and even though Retina – their new EP preceding a second called Iris – is a cohesive piece, a tearing sense of escapism and evasion from pre-conceived formulas is obvious from the moment Mariam’s first howl is heard.
Compared with Björk and, I suspect, her Médulla medley of voices, I would dare say these vocals are closer to the Portuguese fados of Mariza without the Celtic elements considering Mariam’s elongated chants, tonal undulation and interiorised agony. Multilayered choruses over windy melancholic drafts are counterbalanced by heavy beats with Middle Eastern flavour. It makes for a soulful and captivating catharsis that brings temporary and short-lived peace of mind as well as nostalgic joy, the sort that one would believe makes up the permanent DNA of calm happiness. If only Retina and Iris were followed by consecutive EPs for each component of the eye… I am sure we would all be much more content.
Artists in this article: Wildbirds & Peacedrums
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