REVIEW: Conoley Ospovat - Mantras LP [Otake Records]
Mantra by definition, is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone in prayer or meditation. A sound, word, or phrase… focus on the sound portion, and it’s a short leap of the imagination to conclude that one could cut music from the same cloth. A sound, word, or phrase… How often do people play their favorite songs to cheer them up, to make them sad, to excite them, over and over again? A sound, word, or phrase… Yes, music is THE mantra to many, and today we get to experience the Mantras of Conoley Ospovat.
Like a shock to the system, listening through the Nebraska-based Ospovats’ second full album and first on Polish-based Otake Records was quite the journey. I had been familiar with a few of his remixes, and his originals through Kimochi Sound, but this was quite an enjoyable surprise.
From ambient, to break beat, deep house, and all in between, the breadth from opening to closing is incredibly pleasing to the ear. Awareness brings in a nice taste of what is to come. The full-bodied synths take center stage while backed by warm pads and a bass line that seem to cast a haze over the whole track. Not unlike a familiar hot, humid Nebraskan summer night. I think it’s this ‘shimmer’ or ‘haze’ that brings out the best feelings of comfort and happiness. Off the back of Awareness, Let Go and External Realities bring forth the drum machines and kicks, some fun noise thrown in to boot, and with some snappy dissonant stabs that lend a funkier atmosphere. Like a culmination of songs past, ‘Feels Like Ur Movin’ takes all of those elements up in its embrace and rocks your ears gently. Timed perfectly to be a high point of the album, one of those big moments if you will.
If one goes up, they must come down, the title track Mantras marks a deeper turn, marginally more introspective. The playfulness has departed, replaced to maintain a balance of sorts. The dubby nature of Sunny Afternoon Nishi - Eifuku and the flickering synths in Reconnecting acting as reflections of that past happy-go-lucky attitude. Reflections though are ever so fleeting as Between the Lines and Old Pine Floor come in, both with twisted vocals and dark demeanors. Then there comes Valparaiso Sunset. A fitting name for a final track. Emotive, warm, the repeat button has been getting some work on this one. The build as each element comes is introduced, with panning synths bouncing around your ears is fantastic and leaves such a good feeling at the end.
Hats off to Conoley Ospovat, the vocalists Lindsey Flowers and Nora Kei, and Otake Records. Mantras is such a great release to listen to end to end and jumped rather nicely into those albums on repeat here at Delayed.