A Fragile Geography (10th Anniversary Edition)＜限定盤/Yellow Vinyl＞

NYを拠点に活動する電子音楽家、RAFAEL ANTON IRISARRIの2015年ROOM 40リリース作が10TH アニヴァーサリー・エディションで登場。

ニューヨーク移住前、シアトルのスタジオが盗難の被害に遭ったイリサリは、機材、レコーディング機器、アーカイヴの全てを失うことに。ハドソン・バレーの田舎の森林で、自然に取り囲まれた孤独な環境の中でインプロヴィゼーションを軸にしたプロセスを経て形にした代表作。シンプルなコード進行、オルガンのテクスチャー、ギターのドローンを軸に構築された壮大な"EMPIRE SYSTEMS"は、本作の特徴が色濃く表れており、没入型のループと厚い包み込むようなディストーションの層がリスナーに押し寄せるかのよう。イリサリの最も野心的な側面が表れており、ミニマリズムの魅力を最大限に形にしたキャリアにおけるハイライトといえる作品です。10周年を記念したリマスター音源を使用。

A Fragile Geography is post-minimalist composer Rafael Anton Irisarri's first album since moving from Seattle to New York on Memorial Day weekend in 2014. Right as he and his wife were about to move, all of their belongings were stolen, including over $50,000 worth of musical equipment. Fortunately, Ghostly International (who release Irisarri's work as the Sight Below) set up a campaign to raise money to help him recover, and he's been able to continue working on music and performing. But his third album for Lawrence English's Room40 label inevitably reflects upon the loss, distilling all of the feelings of sadness, confusion, frustration, anger, and lack of faith in humanity, resulting in the artist's most intense, personal work to date. His previous works ranged from glacial piano meditations reminiscent of Harold Budd to Biosphere-indebted ambient techno, and while those influences remain, this album primarily consists of dark, smog-like drone. His pieces typically build up subtle tonal clusters until they inflate into massive clouds of dense, overwhelming sound. They avoid tipping into noise, however, and the melodies (as minimal as they may be) are always present. Static and rainfall sounds add to the dramatic effect, and the rich, overpowering "Empire Systems" is particularly heart-stopping. "Persistence" is much calmer, with a repetitive, pointillist melody unfolding at an unhurried pace. Irisarri succeeds at creating extraordinarily powerful, emotional works that aren't harsh, punishing, or nihilistic. Even after facing a devastating tragedy, he remains compassionate, and his resilience is admirable. A Fragile Geography is one of the best works in his astounding discography. ~ Paul Simpson