Cyborgic

Cyborgic

The third in this inaugural batch of deluxe, limited LPs from Rune Grammofon (via their new vinyl-only offshoot The Last Record Company) comes from Maja Ratkje, a staple of contemporary Norwegian music who has made an impact globally as a part of improv band Spunk, noise duo Fe-Mail and as a much lauded composer. This album focuses on Maja's output as a solitary musician, capturing a live performance of her voice-based emissions. Ever since her seminal Rune Grammofon solo debut (plainly titled Voice), Ratkje has ploughed a furrow via her uninhibited vocal acrobatics and clever, though seldom excessive electronic manipulations. Cyborgic finds her in excellent form, and spans a good chunk of Ratkje's considerable range. Whether it's lunatic howling, witchy cackles or quiet, drone-field ambience, this music is immensely articulate and expressive, all-but avoiding the most conventional noise music idioms. However, when Ratkje does reach a riotous moment of crescendo it's mightily powerful, her polyphonic retuned assaults giving an indication of what birdstrike might sound like, pelting you with a frenzy of tweeting.

Cyborgic

Maja Ratkje · 1241971200007

The third in this inaugural batch of deluxe, limited LPs from Rune Grammofon (via their new vinyl-only offshoot The Last Record Company) comes from Maja Ratkje, a staple of contemporary Norwegian music who has made an impact globally as a part of improv band Spunk, noise duo Fe-Mail and as a much lauded composer. This album focuses on Maja's output as a solitary musician, capturing a live performance of her voice-based emissions. Ever since her seminal Rune Grammofon solo debut (plainly titled Voice), Ratkje has ploughed a furrow via her uninhibited vocal acrobatics and clever, though seldom excessive electronic manipulations. Cyborgic finds her in excellent form, and spans a good chunk of Ratkje's considerable range. Whether it's lunatic howling, witchy cackles or quiet, drone-field ambience, this music is immensely articulate and expressive, all-but avoiding the most conventional noise music idioms. However, when Ratkje does reach a riotous moment of crescendo it's mightily powerful, her polyphonic retuned assaults giving an indication of what birdstrike might sound like, pelting you with a frenzy of tweeting.

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