Década en Directo By Aura Noctis

 

Década en Directo

By

Aura Noctis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

This has to be one of the most fascinating albums I have had the pleasure to listen to for a number of years, I am of course referring to the brand new release by Aura Noctis entitled Década en Directo, and after two complete listens before composting my own work here on this review, I could not believe the strange and wonderful roads this amazing release took me on.

The opening foray is a track called Drops, Olga Bartolomé Garcia and her trusty piano reign supreme here, and the symbiotic partnership with the cello of Susana Rico add flavoursome tastes and a delicious repose into its blissful content.

The album contains of 9 quite breath taking tracks, all of which are flourishing musical narratives filled with an abundance of style and crafted genius. Perhaps the listener may find themselves drawn on the path of tracks like the mysterious Stay, it was this that reminded me of early Genesis at times, surely prog and classical cant mix, but this is music we’re taking about, and tone and timbre will find its own way.

Perhaps the dark halls of Cracovia may lure the unexpected listener into a world of deepening shadows, while offerings like Descubre or in English I believe it is Discover, holds a totally different energy with its lighter refrain and melodic gestures, mixing the classical with a new age ethic perhaps, the vocals of Mar Cabello are descriptive and pristine, as they unpack the shortest track off the album.

The multi-instrumental magic of this album can be found in the long form opus of Solsticio, where on piano Olga Bartolomé García literally dances with the depths of both the oboe via Carmen Ruiz Revuelta, and the luscious cello of Susana Rico, with this splendid offering of anthem styled manifestation.

Then on the piece Siberia, which brings a string based fluency which is much appreciated as the chill of the night unfurls is tendrils of icy intent and expectation. We find a haunting narrative on the track Cantar de las Hojas, which once again contains the vocals of the outstanding Mar Cabello, in this most melancholy of creations, the oboe and piano weave a crooked path through the dark alleyways of tonal delight.

Omnia or Everything in English is our next port of call; the slow tempo of this track lures the listener in during this wonderfully dark classical tale of musical plenitude, whilst the entire album is brought to a conclusion by my personal favourite track from the entire album and called Viajes. This blissfully long form chronicle of brilliance is a master work of instrumental intelligence, containing all members of the chamber including the pertinent frame drum of Sergi Perales; a veritable symphony is manifested into the world of light and shadows, and one that leaves the audience in now doubt that they have just witnessed something astonishing.

Década en Directo by Aura Noctis is one of a few albums in my life that literally made me stop, and demanded to be listened to, its musicianship is creative, crafted and impressive, the narrative woven crossed genres constantly, and this made it for me one of the most unique releases I had heard for decades, surely this one has to be chart bound if there is any justice in this tattered world of tone.