- Astral jazz and classical-influenced epics that capture feelings of deep yearning and slow triumph with crystalline precision.
- There's an operatic spirit to Colloboh's second EP. Recounting tales of desire, sadness and curiosity through free jazz and minimalist composition, the self-taught synthesist combines the indulgence of a soprano singer with a dancer's grace. Made using modular hardware and the help of a few collaborators, these predominantly instrumental tracks are best described as vignettes—individual episodes depicting a mini-ecosystem of feelings. They flow into each other, but don't need to be heard in any particular order. Each one is quietly stirring, dwelling on emotions with passion and poise.
Saana Sahel is a classical record at its core, and not just because two of its songs are obvious renditions of Debussy's "Arabesque" and "Pavane, Op. 50," Fauré's tragic masterpiece. "Acid Sunrise" and "Full Embrace" clearly reference Phillip Glass with their repetitive loops and simple arrangements. The former depicts a scene of triumphant, quiet ascent after a period of brutal struggle, adding in zig-zagging synths and layered noises for greater avant-garde effect. "Full Embrace" is an ambient lullaby of wistful longing, featuring plush vocals and cascading piano notes from BlankFor.ms.
Even the EP's jazzier cuts lean classical, with their exquisite melodies and elegant notes. "Mystic You" portrays a sense of wide-eyed wonder through its leisurely groove, mysterious synth lines and scat-like vocals. It's as if Colloboh is encouraging listeners to accept the strange and surreal, like a tourist absorbing New York City's street theatre for the first time. "Higher Ground," by far the EP's most upbeat joint with a drum sequence chopped up from a Thelonious Monk record, emanates carefree insouciance. Its breezy keys and gentle drumming have a light cadence, the kind that comes from welcoming life's inherent absurdism.
Saana Sahel reveals a profound compositional maturity, capturing the emerging artist in an exciting stage of his evolution. Colloboh's debut EP, Entity Relation, was club-oriented, a modular take on house and techno, but this new record shows off a more personal side. With most tracks over five minutes long, Saana Sahel allows listeners to really sink into their sentiments and unapologetically bask in them—a rare luxury for most of us.
Tracklist01. Acid Sunrise
02. Mystic You
03. Higher Ground
04. Pavane, Op. 50
05. Full Embrace
06. Arabesque No. 1