REVIEW: Mioclono - Cluster I [Hivern Discs]
Mioclono take their name from myoclonus: the sudden, involuntary twitching of a muscle or group of muscles that can't be controlled by those experiencing it. Mioclono is the collaborative project of Oriol Riverola (aka John Talabot) and Arnau Obiols (aka Velmondo), and they explore this medical phenomenon on their debut LP, "Cluster 1" released on Hivern Discs.
Both Oriol and Arnau have epilepsy—a neurological disorder impacting brain electrical activity—and have experienced myoclonic episodes. They came together in multiple studio sessions since 2016 traditionally at each end of the year, and accompanied by sound engineer Miquel Mestres.
The references to neurological phenomena are palpable throughout the album in a dreamlike yet organic way, playing with tension, contractions, and relief. This record excels at depicting the interplay between a flow and its disruption.
"Cluster 1" feels like an exploration of what our brains and nervous systems are capable of while avoiding any aggression related to the topic. Let's get one thing clear: if you're in a rush, this isn't your album. The duo took their time telling stories beyond the classic four-minute tracks. They master the art of letting what needs to be said unfold at its own pace, with most songs exceeding eight minutes. Hallelujah!
The 11-minute track “Myoclonic Sequences” is an intricate blend of searching structure, organic sensations, electronic twitches; each listen reveals something new.
“Bog and Fire” takes this spiraling search further over 16 minutes with unexpected sound elements added in for good measure.
The tracks in this album should not be mistaken for comfort. It's not a cozy downtempo album to slowly groove to; the discomfort experienced by myoclonus and epilepsy is absolutely recognizable. In psychedelic terms, there is a solid amount of challenge and confrontation in this 8-track trip. "Dions Power Verses," the vocals part of the epic track that is “Bog and Fire”, are underlaid by some sort of distorted, extended siren sound—not for the faint-hearted. But if music is psychedelic in the sense of being an amplifier, Mioclono give us absolute amplification with this experience.
"Disobedience" follows the same principle, meandering us through multiple reverberating loops in a trance-like form accompanied by lyrics of British occultist Alister Crowley spoken etherically by Lauren Campbell.
References to Krautrock and Psychedelic Rock are undeniable in this masterpiece without lacking groove or edge. When I say it's not a classic downtempo album, I mean you need to experience and embody its sounds physically. I haven't tried all the possibilities yet, but it works on carpets, meadows, moss, wood floors and sand. For grounding purposes, having bare feet is a good idea; after all, with all the intricacies this album is about an absolute organic matter.