Lost Voices

Genre: post-rock, cinematic rock, chamber…rock, constellation records

Who needs lyrics anyway? Well Esmerine sure don’t on their new release of stirring, detailed compositions. Comprised of two members of TSMZ and GY!BE respectively (what’s with Canadians and these zany, sentence long names?), they draw from the same magic serum that seems to imbue every Constellation album. However, unlike their other projects, Esmerine cut down on both song length and word count. One of my early favorites of 2016.

Others: Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, This Will Destroy You, GY!BE, Set Fire to Flames, Colin Stetson/Sarah Neufeld

Favorites: 7, 1, 4, 2, 6, 3. No words.

1. (6:05) *** The Neighbourhoods Rise - Speculative, quiet plucks. Subtle strings. Gorgeous, sweeping folk. Thudding tom-tom drumming breaks in.
2. (6:02) ** A River Runs Through This City - Immediate cymbal crash and tight drum beat. Propulsive, heavy. Slick guitar melody. Lush, almost math-rocky at times.
3. (4:27) ** Pas Trop Pas Tropes - Tender marimba notes hang in the air. Pretty. Wonderful, expressive cello playing.
4. (5:55) *** 19/14 - Jerky, locked in groove with bass, vibraphone, and deft drumming. Tricky time signature. In the second half things open up a bit with some nice gritty guitar. Muscat likes.
5. (2:32) A Trick of the Light - Quavering ambience….dour cello. Innocent piano melody. A welcome respite.
6. (6:54) ** My Mamma Pinned a Rose on Me - Warm bed of marimba arpeggios. Beatless. Exploratory feel.
7. (7:45) ***** Funambule (Deus pas de Serein) - Big, triumphant march. Epic feel. Grows urgent and unhinged. Holy shit one of the tracks of the still young year.
8. (3:47) Our Love We Sing - Low, ominous tones. Haunting, steady bowed cello.
9. (2:35) Lullaby for Nola - Lone piano. Slowly cello and subtle vocal harmonies come in.