Coarbegh: The Sound And The Flow Of London Town

Two sevenths of the band Poor Genetic Material, Coarbegh consist of Pia Darmstaedter, who plays flute and alto-flute, while also providing ‘voice’, alongside Philipp Jaehne who lays out what could best be described as pretty much everything else, such as keyboards, field recordings and ‘guitar-scapes’. From the inclusion of the phrase ‘field recordings’, you can pretty much conclude that we are in the world of ambient shimmers here, the title of the third album from this outfit - and first to move into this ambient setting - The Sound And The Flow Of London Town, alluding to where these recordings were made and the atmosphere they look to create.

With the flute playing from Darmstaedter offering an intentionally stark counterpoint to the electronic sounds that form the majority of the constructions you encounter, there really is a keen push and pull of organic against digital as the likes of “The Magic And Mystery Of Maryon Park� swirls around your head. Cleverly though, this album has the awareness to follow up the lush moments with something more enigmatic and fragile, with “Docklands Loops� verging on mournful and giving the impression that it was recorded on a typically grey, wet London day where the resultant reflections on the water hint at other worlds just beneath the surface.

That feeling runs through this album, most of the pieces such as “Jubilee At St. John’s Wood� alluding to alternate realities and outcomes from those initially revealed. The patience and poise of the flute work plays a large part in that otherworldliness, but then so does a lot of the repetitive, chiming nature of the base soundscapes themselves.

For those who are already acquainted with this pair’s other band, clear links can readily be found between this outing and Poor Genetic Material, but while this is hardly instant fare that quickly gives up all its secrets, the sparks that are struck by “Going Up� and “Battersea Dream� do immediately catch the ear and draw you into what is a well rounded experience. It may feel remote and spartan at times, but you’ll quickly discover that The Sound And Flow Of London Town makes for an enticing way to spend some introverted, enigmatic, time away from the rest of the world.

Track Listing
1. Passage Of Colours
2. The Magic And Mystery Of Maryon Park
3. Dockland Loops
4. Going Up
5. Blue Station
6. Jubilee At St. John’s Wood
7. 6 Seconds To 1:27
8. The Silent Zone
9. Battersea Dream

Added: October 12th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Coarbegh @ Quixote Music
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Language: english

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