This Viennese slice explores possible worlds contained within computer and guitar, vast reverberant spaces, textural simulacra of the elemental metastasizing through the sound field to immersive effect.
Christian Fennesz is to release a first album of solo works in five years. Agora follows up Mahler Remix (Touch) and Bécs (Editions Mego), both 2014 vintage. Says Fennesz: “It’s a simple story. I had temporarily lost a proper studio workspace and had to move all my gear back to a small bedroom in my flat where I recorded this album.” Further elaboration reveals the entirely headphone-bound nature of its means of production: initially frustrating for the artist, later on, reminding as it did of the early days and his first records in the ’90s, necessity turned virtue, it came to be seen rather as inspiration; gear-head indulgence foregone, equipment minimal—just what was to hand.
But how does it sound, you’ll be asking. Thing is… Agora isn’t with us yet, and Touch down isn’t due till March 29, 2019. Don’t fret, though, for in the absence of the Full Monty, we have a sneak peek under his “Umbrella” (-ella, -ella, -ella, -ella…), a purpose-made medley of the four parts of the whole. This Viennese slice opens up possible worlds contained within guitar and computer, vast reverberant spaces, elemental simulacra metastasizing through the sound field in your own private Agora.
Agora is available on Touch.
