Willebrant - Desert Songs (Bonus Edition)

 

Released: December 6

Originally released in May of this year, Australian composer Karl Willebrant brings us an extended version of his latest ambient drone album with special live performances included. The album itself is wonderful and meditative ten track album with each track being named sequentially as simply “Sands.” It seems to follow in the footsteps of his previous works, with the addition of feeling like a bit of a callback to his Fieldwork series that included Fern___ and Coastal___ but missing the field recording element that he has moved away from in recent work. 

Desert Songs is sonically deep throughout its runtime in a way that is almost deceptive. At first listen, the compositions may even feel a bit simplistic, with long holds and broad spectrum synths that fill out the sonic landscape. But there is a subtle complexity to what you hear that requires closer listening. “Sands V (By Night)” is a low and slow piece that captures the inky darkness of night perfectly with a deep low end that thumps ever so gently throughout its run. It is prominent enough to be noticed, but subtle enough to evade your attention at points where you are not listening for it. “Sands VI (Caravan)” replaces these thumps with a simple bas progression of about three notes repeated while the softest of synth tones ebb alongside it. The short and simple repeating three note progression gives this sense of motion that I can only describe as a slow march. The first two notes give an illusion of left foot followed by right foot with the third note feeling like an unusual add-on, maybe like the ragged exhale of a weary traveler. 

Despite whatever small departure from pure drone, the drift in theme is negligible. Desert Songs persists in its vaguely spiritual journey across the desert with a sort persistence that feels calm and determined. It makes for a wonderful and zen like experience that is well attuned for your mind-expansion aid of choice.