Blending the elegance of classical composition with the curiosity of experimental sound design, Tlön — the electroacoustic duo of Sara Övinge and Gregor Riddell — unveil a stellar debut with Reality. The album crafts an otherworldly listening experience where violin, cello, and field recordings intertwine in vivid, story-like form. Inspired by notions of magical realism and the subtle beauty found in everyday noise, Reality transforms the familiar into something dreamlike and deeply affecting.
Opening the album, “I Don’t Wanna Hear Ma Voice” showcases the project’s seamless ability to expand from textural intrigue into sweeping orchestral beauty. Initial rustling sounds convey a minimalist atmosphere, while subtle swells of orchestration swell gradually with momentum, though also a classic-feeling elegance. The more experimental side re-emerges around mid-point, when an unsettling ambience lingers amidst that aforementioned rustling and a solemn spoken-word narration. Shifting gorgeously between classical ethereality and ghostly, ambient allure, “I Don’t Wanna Hear Ma Voice” is a masterful showing that commences the release in fully immersive form.
An abundance of highlights show throughout the album. Among them, “Hinge” is notable for its serenely evolving pull. Its one-minute turn shows a more understated charm, while a subtle kettle-like effect expands into a more effervescent appeal. “Vertigo Dream” is another standout, moving from high-pitched piano trickling into frantic layers — resembling a winter snowfall in its melodic glistening. Album finale “Coda” envelops as well with its gorgeous string-forward sound, showing shades of Ryuichi Sakamoto in its stylish emotion. Reality is an enveloping success from Tlön.
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“I Don’t Wanna Hear Ma Voice” is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Electronic.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
