Umor Rex, the Mexico-based label with deep Berlin ties, stands as a beacon of immersive and uncompromising sound art—here further elevated by Francesca Marongiu’s Still Forms in Air, a quietly radiant work of organic minimalism that reveals her as a singular voice in contemporary ambient composition.
Minimal forms, expanded listening
Mexico-based publisher connected to Berlin, Umor Rex is a highly acclaimed musical purveyor specialized in immersive, challenging, and meticulously sculpted soundscapes (with material from Rafael Anton Irisarri, Siavash Amini, M. Geddes Gengras…). I had the occasion to dive into their production through numerous hypnotic, atmospheric, and kinetic electronic epiphanies, such as the fascinating Sirens by Kara Lis Coverdale or the more emotionally devastating Impiety by Terence Hannum (one of my all-time favorites in unsettling and ascending ambient music of the last few years).
The label recently welcomed the experimental, soothing, and organic minimal work of Rome-based sound artist Francesca Marongiu. In her new release, titled Still Forms in Air, Francesca offers a delicately moving, silky, melodious, oceanic, and spiritually uplifting musical experience, built on lush electronic textures, a palette of tonal colors, and processed acoustic timbres derived from more traditional instrumentation.
Carefully crafted and thoughtfully conceived, this album brings to the fore a conceptual lineage rooted in abstract-aesthetic principles already championed by pioneering 1980s Japanese producers in environmental music (Takashi Kokubo, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Yoshio Ojima…). These principles are forged around spacious sound design, refined natural scenery, and floating calmness (in this regard, consider the highly illustrative metaphor of ukiyo), all defined by evocative power and simplicity.
Following this path, Still Forms in Air elaborates a subtle balance between nature-scaping sequences and impressionistic electronic cycles, with an impact on both the mind and the body. All in all, it is a beautiful, minimalist, heart-comforting ambient album infused with zen-like serenity and shimmering inner melodicism, carrying a sense of sonic meditation—almost medication. Easily recommended and deeply inviting.
Still Forms in Air is available on Umor Rex. [Bandcamp]
