Resonant Body

Maya Bouldry-Morrisons work as Octo Octa has always looked to dance musics past for artistic inspiration while simultaneously gazing inward, exploring deeply personal subjects and feelings. Her first album, the tellingly titled Between Two Selves, was released before she came out as transgender, and follow-up Where Are We Going? reflected her uncertainty and emotional instability. Resonant Body, her third full-length, is the sound of an individual much more at peace with herself and her surroundings, and its some of the most thrilling work shes produced. Described as her most spiritual and nature-connected work, she recorded it in a cabin in New Hampshire, and theres something free and open about it that sounds unconfined by the pressures of a city environment. At the same time, however, these tracks are all about giving your body up to the beat and losing yourself in ecstasy. Move Your Body perfectly captures the spirit of early-90s rave music, complete with hoover synths and abrupt vinyl scratches. Spin Girl, Lets Activate! is nearly as playful, with rapturous pianos and booty bass vocals, as well as a teasing breakdown where the track slows down and speeds back up. Can You See Me? is both uplifting and deeply resonant, with punchy beats setting the tempo for a handful of looped vocal samples, the most prominent saying I know exactly how you feel. A few tracks are darker mood explorations, with Deeper Connections layering chunky drums over subdued melodic patterns, and the storming breaks of Ecstatic Beat sounding like a darkcore jungle 12 played at 33 (or thereabouts) instead of 45. Ending with the unifying chants of Power to the People, Resonant Body is an inspiring release that demonstrates the healing qualities of dance music. ~ Paul Simpson