A look at the art of 'Depths of Winter'
Over the course of last winter, gyrofield fell in deep with sonic experimentation and personal hardships which in turn cultivated her latest record 'Depths of Winter'.
The 7 track release illuminates her meticulous analysis of sound and reflects her inner unrest. Fragments of dissonant dancefloor grooves, perplexing sounds, and lawless compositions maneuver across the record.
The intro 'Comedic Films' is engulfed with flickering modular extractions and a gurgling synth that skulks the platform. As the synth extends it whirls up as static before crashing into estranged, alien-like phone dials.
'Need a Hug' ominous particles of sound waver in before thundering down erratic beeps and clicks that batter into an unexpected deranged rhythm. The protruding bassline rages with the tenacious drum work as the rhythms go haywire then swirl to a pitstop before undergoing a torment of cluttered candied tones.
'You Wouldn’t Download Your Mom', the clock ticks as you contemplate the title of the track while ripples of distorted bass lines scurry the surface as it's grained with glitchy sounds. Navigating through the facets of textures it eventually sinks and disintegrates.
'Showers', filtered ambience paces over the track as peculiar artefacts are sprinkled on its course. Weaving in an auspicious manner.
'The Baby', cries a downpour of oscillating modular sounds in a havocing rhythm. Centralized with an ethereal atmosphere ahead of another frenzy of punchy bass stabs, and turbulent clamour. Soon after returning to its tranquil state.
'Gift', progressive bright yet sorrowful melodies float far and wide. The sparkling noise invokes a comforting feeling, sparkling and dancing atop your psyche.
'PCM', melancholy chords chime forward and arise with a wall of noise. An influx of emotive disfigured vocals laces the high frequencies yielding a sense of relieving anguish.
Knowing no boundaries, gyrofield executes a multiplex of sonic excavation, leaving the listener astonished by the endless possibilities of sound.
We were graced with notes from Integra on his insights of the artwork, furthermore, we also had the honour of speaking with Kiana herself on the development of the release and what she has planned for 2022.
“Depths of Winter is all about conveying a certain atmosphere, one that is as intentional as it is abstract. I was essentially tasked with taking these psychological and musical influences and translating them into what would eventually become the cover art and supporting elements.”
/ Integra on atmosphere
Memories so often elude capture because they're always in motion - their fleeting nature is part of the essence of what makes them so ineffable and difficult to express. Integra offers us a glimpse into the incorporeal realms of gyrofield’s inner world through organic forms and patterns. Through an exploration of values between subdued and vibrant violet hues. The composition along with its overall flow seems as intentional as it does abstract and natural. Traces and wisps of distant impressions are composed here with effervescent circuitries and noumenal networks of light. A flickering wellspring of life reaching out faintly through the deep recesses of winter’s solitude.
“When a project like this comes up, it can prove difficult to condense and articulate these influences in a way that’s accessible enough to digest.”
/ Integra on influences
Confronted with the transience of our psyche’s shifting moods, music and art offer us refuge through a simultaneous interplay between direct engagement and escapism. Irrepressible messages rise to the surface, displaying their characters in disjointed fragments suggesting that what we see here is only partial and temporary, its fullness can only be seen through a period of enduring. Through sitting with this release and its supporting artworks, one can share the vision that these two talented artists have held up for us all to see, and then its meaning may become felt, even if a resolution is never made explicitly clear.
“I’m extremely grateful and fortunate to have had a hand in Depths of Winter, and I’m not certain how it would’ve panned out if Kiana and I didn’t connect and relate as much as we do. A lot of my independent work revolves around nostalgia and the various whims of escapism. Typically portrayed in an abrasive and intricate manner, with the main stylistic influence being the Metalheart movement from the very early 2000s. This all leads to the final outcome feeling quite distant and subdued as if something needs resolution, something needs confrontation. While I don’t feel as if there’s any strict interpretation to be had, the torn and almost dry presentation allows for your own kind of independent symbolism. We ultimately hope this atmosphere resonates with you as much as it does for us.”
/ Integra on his work on Depths of Winter