Ashley Reaks - The Earth Swan Sings Again

  by Lisa Torem

published: 10 / 12 / 2018

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Review

There have been a couple of collaborations between Ashley Reaks and spoken word poet Joe Hakim over the years, namely 2014/2015’s ‘Cultural Thrift’ and this year’s ‘The Science of Discontent,’ which prepare Reaks' fans for ‘The Earth Swan Sings Again,’ his latest harvest. In the later project, there’s a song entitled ‘The Customer is Always Wrong’ but I dare say, the discerning customer is always right. Some might say that Reaks is an acquired taste, as he definitely goes out-of-the box at times, but this customer looks forward to his outlandish trips. ‘The Earth Swan Sings Again’ draws the listener in immediately with the stark cover of a lonesome bird. Once one tears off the shrink wrap, however, nature, isolation, spirituality and angst really smack you in the teeth. The nine tracks cover a myriad of deep emotions. Throughout, the vocals are translucent and haunting. Maria Jardardotir only appears on ‘The Embers of Tomorrow,’ whereas we could rely on her lovely musing more in the past, but there are plenty of other novelties here which will distract us from that sadness. The title song is like a Bulgarian folk dance on steroids. Joel Purnell’s stepwise sax solo oozes sensuality and his nuances also hit the spot. Olly Mike’s rabid beats are hopeful serum for the dying. Ashley’s bass is as virile as expected. ‘Her Body Convulsed’ begins with a tear-drop pastoral intro. which jettisons in to a slick beatnik groove. Purnell’s steamy horn fills the head with floating, cumulus clouds. ‘Inside the Shimmering Agony’ proves that Ashley Reaks is a truly underrated bassist. You will love the patter: "She smiles in silence/I’ve got to get out of the basement.” Nick Dunne’s devilish guitar is just outrageous. ‘She Stretches Open (Like a Parasite’s Echo)' has one bad-ass intro. Images like, “skinny dipping in the afternoon” follow suit. Soon the party is over: “She’s like a curse to me.” ‘Blackness Closed Against the Summertime’ is a complete contrast. If a Marrakesh souk could speak, it would sound like this, a scintillating cacophony, a call to prayer… ‘Sunflowers Wilting’ finds Reaks engaging in another blistering bassline, heightened here by Olly Mike’s swell vibes and delightful beats. Love the fugue-like structure and Nick Dunne’s lounge comps. ‘I Stroked Her Like a Leper’ is probably my favourite. I was swept afield by the call and response of the flirtatious instrumentals, Dunne’s trippy solo, and the beautifully expressive lyrics. The closer ‘Today Hurts More than Mercy’ has some killer images too: "mosquitos clinging to the lights," for one. This track also underscores some of Dunne’s best ideas. ‘The Earth Swan Sings Again’ is a dynamic culmination of fresh ideas turned sideways. Something here for everyone, and even more for the slightly intrepid.

Track Listing:-

1 Inside Her Shimmering Agony
2 She Stretches Open (Like a Parasite's Echo)
3 I Stroked Her Like a Leper
4 The Earth Swan Sings Again
5 Her Body Convulsed
6 Blackness Closed Against the Summertime
7 The Embers of Tomorrow
8 Sunflowers Wilting
9 Today Hurts More Than Mercy

Band Links:-

http://www.ashleyreaks.com/
https://twitter.com/ashleyreaks
http://ashleyreaks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ashleyreaksar
https://ashleyreaks.bigcartel.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/ash231266