Ritualistic, eclectic, mystical, beautiful.
Unland is the project of Germany-based Jonas Meyer (piano/fx), Christian Grothe (guitar/fx/sampler) and Shabnam Parvaresh (clarinet). The concept: “to come together and create improvised musical landscapes” as the trio puts it. The first result: a spacious, texturally intoxicating, emotionally open and highly atmospheric 4-track experimental ambient album.
Grothe also produces mini ambient adventures alone under the moniker Kryshe, and is about to release a lovely 5-track digital EP via the colorful Australian imprint Hidden Shoal this September (review will follow). Meyer is a part of the post-rock band frames and also produces ambient under the moniker The Holographic Field Ensemble. Iranian-born Shabnam Parvaresh, who currently resides in Osnabrück, is also a talented abstract painter. These three gifted artists are driven by curiosity and passion, and together as Unland offer something fresh and exotic for the adventurous music consumer.
The ride starts with the allure of a chillingly quiet endless sea of sadness under dark ominous skies. Meyer’s melancholy piano glow sets the tone, while Grothe’s dynamic textural guitar wonder and delicate electronics add color and subtle movement, and in between, Parvaresh’s clarinet drifts croon from the depths. After a dramatic finish, Scene 2 soon balances things out with a graceful blooming nectar of optimism. After six comforting, hopeful minutes, mystery and darkness creep in again. Scene 3 is gloomy but not as the first one. Mysticism is on display, and the scents are almost of a Middle Eastern or Indian Classical affair. This beautiful sensation is generated mainly by Parvaresh, who at that point lets more traditional influences seep in from her heart smoothly into the mix, and Meyer, who produces a peculiar charm out of the piano with the help of pedal work and interesting external effect use. Grothe’s part is not less essential on that scene, his bow-generated guitar streams provide a rich and effective backbone, and even a bit of otherworldliness in the end. The ride ends with a bewitching dance of dangerous winds and looming shadows over bleak wide landscapes.
This self-titled debut album truly deserves a physical release and more exposure. I believe that under the wings of the right label, Unland will get the physical release it deserves and will reach more people across the globe as it should. Germany’s multifaceted and prolific label Denovali could be the perfect home for this trio. In fact, I can’t think of a label more suitable than Denovali for releasing this music. Unland is definitely a project worth keeping an eye on, and a little bird told me we’ll be hearing more from it soon. These four scenes assemble an unsettling and mostly pensive world that leaves the listener enchanted and addicted. The entire recording stage was filmed and can be watched on Unland’s YouTube channel.
Unland is available as a free/name your price album on Bandcamp.
