The appearance of Latvian electronic music grandmaster Signa Libra (real name Agata Melņikova) in the evaluation lists of the Latvian music recording of the year “Golden Microphone” award was a major surprise – previously this artist who gained popularity abroad had not shown a desire to be associated with such events.
Hidden Beauty is Sign Libra’s third studio album, following Closer To The Equator (2018) and Sea To Sea (2020). Like its predecessor, the new album was released on the New York label “RVNG Intl.” – in vinyl records and digital formats. In addition, the Japanese label Plancha Records also offers it on CD. The album “is billed as a mysterious journey through feminine nature, which is playfully illustrated in musical collage, subtexts and hidden allusions,” according to the musician’s representatives. The first sketches of “Hidden Beauty” appeared in 2019, while the basic outlines of the album were created in 2020 and the beginning of 2021. “Connected to the world only through a computer and smartphone screen during the pandemic, Agata drew inspiration from many activities: new, unusual approaches to composing, learning French, virtual teaching practice and dancing in her apartment listening to 90s dance music.”
The unforced simplicity of Eric Satie, the early works of Milena Farmer and Lauren Boutonas, as well as the r&b rhythms of the 90s are cited as sources of inspiration for the creation of this album. “The other hidden elements of this work are many and perhaps best not to be revealed so as not to spoil the listener’s enjoyment. But maybe they are hidden in plain sight – depending on what the pieces of the puzzle reveal to the imagination,” Sign Libra representatives say.
Listening to “Hidden Beauty” will give your imagination plenty of room to run wild. Experts of electronic music should judge the technical performance better, but even better – its creators, but from a compositional and mood point of view, Agata is really able to attract the listener to her work for a long time. It is difficult to single out one track in particular (if you really need it, then maybe the broad opening “Le Chat”, the playful “Clocks” and/or the bubbly “Aqua”), but it is not necessary at all, because this work should be listened to as a whole, from beginning to end. Released and relaxed.
By the way, a part of the proceeds from the sale of the album will be donated to “Coral Guardian”, a non-governmental international organization that works to protect coral ecosystems. A unique artist with unique music and unique goals – what else can I add…
2024-01-04 20:04:28
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