It's hard to imagine sometimes, that there was a world before this.
A connected humanity. An interactive society. We were doing so well, weren't we? Like anything, it's easy to romanticise the past, and with most of planet Earth stricken by the worst infectious outbreak since the 1800's, we are understandably desperate to resume some semblance of 'normal life'; but it wasn't all roses pre-Corona. The technology providing a crucial lifeline for families now, was for many the focal point of a colder planet. A safe haven for narcissism, bullying and fake news feeding directly into our brains, almost constantly. One positive to be grasped in all this is the appreciation of genuine human connection, and on 'Devotions', the latest record from Belfast's ambient Father figure Arvo Patry, we hear a collection of lush reunification songs. This is captured best by the albums intoxicating spinal fragments, 'sunna' and 'cristofieri', the latter appropriately named after the Italian inventor of the piano.
For a musician once at the centre of alt-rock, Tuppeny Nudgers LaFaro, Arvo Party is bassist/producer Herb Magee's opportunity to push sonic boundaries with no fear; but fear still plays it's part in 'Devotions' genetic make-up. Born within quarantine, tensions and optimism acquiesce across the record, like on the simmering, rain drop-sampling 'voivvev'. Just as Sigur Ros's masterpiece Ágætis byrjun did so well, the human voice is just another instrument in the Arvo Party cannon.
Much of 'Devotions' could soundtrack a David Attenborough documentary. In 'a history of everything including you', decades pass in seconds, millennia in minutes. You can see the Earth evolve around Magee's spectral sounds. Whether Arvo Party's work denotes a stark warning of what we may yet lose in the future, or a beacon of hope because we haven't yet lost it, will depend on what sort of day your having. The beauty in it, what makes it such a gratifying listen, is that decision remains yours.
Taylor Johnson
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