Laboratorium Pieśni – Rosna

Cover art for Laboratorium Pieśni – Rosna

Type: Album

Genre(s): Polish Folk Music, Polyphonic Chant, White Voice

From: Poland, Gdańsk

Release: November 19, 2016

Producer(s): ?

This record is explorative, playful, hypnotic, and everything in between. I cannot commend the performers enough if I tried. Otherwise, the compositions themselves are also insanely creative and varied.

Even if some pitfalls of composition and mixing are occasionally fallen into (personally, at least), the performances never waver in staying unequivocally top-notch. Their vocal chemistry is also a mind-boggling source of consistent ear candy, which delivers immersive harmonies and immense-sounding passages track after track.

•Low 9•

Highlights: U lisi, Vrbice, Sztoj pa moru, Käppee.

Lowlifes: Lecieli żurauli, Zabilili sniżki.

Track-by-track review

Oj wersze, mij wersze is a magical and hypnotic opening track that manages to submerge the listener with nothing but a set of layered vocals that create an admirable soundscape. Although it’s absolutely beautiful, it’s only the tip of the iceberg of what this record has to offer, especially in its ability to create tranquil atmospheres.

Low 9.

U lisi is an alluring track that incorporates wind chimes and percussion to introduce a buildup-heavy composition that is —almost obviously— wonderfully performed. The relationship between the repetitive vocals and the carefree cries and howls is mesmerizing; a set of singers creates a stable sonic ground for the others to play around while staying impressively balanced.

Mid-High 9.

Vrbice switches lanes into a high-energy piece of folk music that simultaneously manages to maintain the hypnotism boasted by the previous tracks. Between the percussion and the powerful call and response, this is another shining point within the record.

Mid-High 9.

Oj u poli is a more leisurely approached, stripped-back piece, fully composed of layered vocals. The composition feels slightly long-winded, but it’s nevertheless a fantastically dreamlike cut.

High 8.

Vecherai Rado uses a wind instrument drone and glockenspiel-like percussion along with energetic, polyphonic vocals to create quite an enveloping soundscape. However, the vocals are mixed somewhat piercingly here, slightly getting in the way of the intricate vocal harmonies.

Mid-High 8.

Sztoj pa moru once again delivers another soul-touching set of precise vocal harmonies and inspiring melodies. Moreover, the drumming complements the absolutely admirable vocals to a flawless extent.

Mid-High 9.

Lecieli żurauli is every bit as enveloping and admirably performed as previous tracks, but it lacks the memorability this is so present in previous songs. It’s hard to pick out a truly special melody from this track, which is something that becomes all the more evident as the tracklist is filled with many (impressively).

Low 8.

Käppee is a playful moment that, again, boasts impeccably masterful composition and performances. Not a single performer, melodic line, or percussive arrangement goes amiss in this perfect amalgamation of all that this record is applaudable for.

10.

Ergen Deda continues the energy and euphoria of the previous tracks in all their colours while maintaining a beautifully hypnotic and simultaneously rhythmic mood. The vocal dissonances and percussive compositions/instrumentations chosen for this track are among the most interesting and unique — in a way that undoubtedly lets the voices shine.

Low-Mid 9.

Rosna livada is a long, complexly structured track that slowly transports the listener and submerges them with patient grace. Despite a somewhat overlong introduction, every musical idea and atmosphere created afterwards most definitely justifies the runtime.

Low 9.

Oj ty rzeko is quite a calming and head-clearing moment within the record that truly nears a meditative experience. However, it is similar to “Lecieli żurauli” in its lack of memorability or well-defined melodies — although only slightly.

High 8.

Zabilili sniżki is enjoyable at first, although it becomes a bit tedious and repetitive after a while. Due to this, I —personally— can’t fully adore it, although I still admire it due to its perfect performances, which remain consistent at every point of the tracklist.

Mid-High 7.

Reczańka: Another dreamlike-state-inducing lullaby; a wholly mind-blowing one to wrap the record up. It’s an excellent track to close with as well since this cut feels the most like a comforting hug of velvety vocals.

 

Mid 9.

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