Širom – The Liquified Throne of Simplicity (tak:til / Glitterbeat Records, 2022)
Širom’s The Liquified Throne of Simplicity presents a sound that emerges at the crossroads of the heart Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Adriatic. Positioned in Slovenia, a land steeped in historical layers from the Roman, Byzantine, and Austro-Hungarian Empires, as well as the complex Yugoslav history, the trio comprising Iztok Koren, Ana Kravanja, and Samo Kutin have crafted an expansive album resonating with intuitive transcendence.
This inventive and evocative recording, marking Širom’s fourth venture, extends beyond the boundaries of conventional instrumental platforms. Departing from the constraints of standard vinyl records, the trio delves into longer, fully developed musical explorations, resulting in 80 minutes of abstract and rustic folk songs, dream-realism, and cathartic ritual. Interestingly, Širom draw inspiration from diverse sources. Indeed, their music evokes Jon Hassell’s Fourth World experiments, Samarkand’s visions, the esoteric mysteries of Tibet, and a pastoral hurdy-gurdy that was common in Medieval Europe.
The album’s uniqueness is further accentuated by the poetic and allegorical fabled track titles, complemented by the surreal illustrative artwork of Marko Jakše. These performances, off the beaten path, converge history and geography with untethered fantasies, creating an atmospheric journey that transcends the boundaries of the mundane.
The Liquified Throne of Simplicity serves as more than just music; released during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it offered a therapeutic portal to escape its demoralizing effects, especially in the context of Slovenia’s crisis and the rise of certain far-right groups exploiting the discourse of nationalism. During the bleak winter days of the pandemic, the trio found solace in creating and learning, using their music as a form of therapy to mend disconnection and isolation.
As the trio navigated the darkest days of the COVID-19 miasma, they embarked on walks across the remote parts of their homeland, reconnecting with their surroundings and seeking inspiration. Motivated by a quest to explore exotic instruments, repurpose found objects, and create new devices, Širom introduced a fascinating array of instruments, such as the Balkan guitar-like ‘tempura brač’ and the Middle Eastern daf frame drum.
The polygenesis of Širom’s otherworldly music traces back to disparate but intersecting roads in the Slovenian underground scene. The trio’s collaboration emerged through shared experiences in organizing shows and tours, culminating in the formation of Širom during a shared tour with one of Iztok’s bands.
In the spirit of goodwill and mental health, Širom shared their album through a national underground tour, playing acoustic concerts in special locations across Slovenia. This mini-tour, documented in the film “Rural Underground,” provides further insight into the inner workings of this hypnotizing and mysterious trio.
From the primal tubular and cattle bell ringing of the opener ‘Wilted Superstition Engaged in Copulation’ to the almost Middle Eastern drama of ‘A Bluish Flickering,’ Širom’s album explores diverse tunings, rhythms, and textures, offering a captivating soundtrack that probes uncharted musical territories. With instinctive undulations and illusionary echoes, Širom once again entrances listeners with a highly magical and evocative musical journey.
Musicians: Ana Kravanja on viola, daf, ocarinas, mizmar, balafon, ribab, various objects, voice; Iztok Koren on guembri, banjos, tank drum, bass drum, percussion, balafon, various objects, chimes; and Samo Kutin on hurdy-gurdy, tampura brač, lyre, chimes, balafon, frame drum, ocarina, acoustic resonators, various objects, voice.
Buy The Liquified Throne of Simplicity.
Author: JGurski
