Evocative, overwhelming, intricate, thought-provoking, and deeply spiritual – those are but a few thoughts deeply embedded in and carried forth by the song we’re premiering to you today. It didn’t take more than the notion of experimental dark ambient for me to be invested in it right away, and knowing what type of a sieve our premiere propositions run through, I didn’t have to think twice.
Leila Abdul-Rauf is a multi-instrumentalist and a composer releasing her fifth solo album Calls From A Seething Edge on October 11 via Cyclic Law (vinyl, CD) and Syrup Moose (tape, CD), and today together with this group of wonderful people, we’re bringing you the opening track “Summon” in advance, with its accompanying music video. Be prepared to traverse your psyche throughout these eight minutes of ponderous sonics, also featuring the capable hands of Gregory C. Hagan (viola), Derrick Vella (acoustic guitar), and Sam Foster (hand percussion and drum sampling plus video directing), and dig in from below;
The aural threads begin weaving a magnificent tapestry right from the beginning of the song that is equally aerial as it is weighty, offering gripping glimpse into the remainder of the album, and what kinds of musical nooks are explored on it. Even as a standalone single, “Summon” beckons at its own title, sprouting forth a fully fledged experience that swipes you off your feet quite easily. The visuals add another psychedelic layer to the already rather hallucinogenic ambiance, and what’s for certain is, that you are fully embedded into the ensemble of sounds and visuals throughout its duration.
Leila Abdul-Rauf offered the following insight into “Summon”;
‘Out of all of the songs, the opener “Summon” relates most closely to the album title: I envisioned all of humanity, walking along a sharp-edged blade of indefinite length where on one side of it is the ‘safe’ concrete world of the known, and on the other side, a realm of death, infinity and the spiritual unknown, continuing to seethe and beckon to us. Sonically, “Summon” picks up where Phantasiai left off and works almost like a blueprint for the whole album, showcasing a new creative direction and preparing the listener for what’s to come. Gregory’s multi-tracked viola swirls gracefully; Sam’s darbuka performance beautifully accents the rhythms during the climax, and Derrick’s masterful and contemplative guitar solo is the perfect closer to the song. I’m so grateful to have the contributions of such talented musicians.‘
Well, she pretty much put the current whirlwind in my head caused by the song itself into palpable words. It’s quite easy to sign off these visions of humanity being a balancing act between extremes seemingly all the time, either as a global group or as individuals. Can – and first and foremost should – you keep up the act or perhaps dip your toes into either side to see and fully grasp what it’s really like down there? Think about it. And replay the song as your aid while you’re at it. It’s so fucking good, after all.
Conveniently, you can find all integral links about Leila Abdul-Rauf as well as for Calls From A Seething Edge from here. Do follow her on her socials and pre-order the album, you owe yourself as much.
Photos by Sam Foster / Mirror Void
