This self-titled 12” vinyl split between Swedish experimental instrumentalists pg.lost and domestic post-rock outfit Wang Wen (罔聞) from China.
pg.lost tackles the A-side with one twenty-minute song divided in two parts —“Desperdicio Parts I & II”—that open with a decidedly doom-influenced Spaghetti Western flair before nestling into more comfortable post-rock ground: crashing rock movements that intoxicate the listener and ferry them through waters of aching, almost heartbreaking emotion stamped with forceful, triumphant and occasionally-violent melodies that recall sweeping windswept vistas.
Wang Wen excels at running emotional relays from melancholy grief to guarded hope—and back again—multiple times within single songs, feats of sonic prowess that make their contributions an ideal soundtrack for these troubled times.
On the B-side, the Chinese quintet counters pg.lost’s fiery, outward-looking track with three subdued and inward-looking sketches. The fragile opener, “13th”, is dominated by mellow, intricate guitar interplay overlaid upon warm and reassuring throbbing organ tones before disintegrating into a pedal-induced feedback fuzz.
“Homeland Accent,” a subdued island in which a glockenspiel, Hammond organ, earnest percussion work, soaring lead guitars and a violin all take turns occupying center stage, offers a tranquil respite before the barnstorming closer “Mouse Song,” the aural equivalent to a flash thunderstorm.
The seven-minute jam neatly pivots from languid mandolin and violin-laced guitar wizardry backed by sunny, bubbling synths to a brief midpoint moment of stark lucidity before the band throws themselves into cathartic, film credits territory marred by agitated and fitful guitar squalls.
And then the sky brightens, the string section chirps and all is well again—置若罔聞: turning a deaf ear to the wolf at the door.
credits
released 31 December 2012
Co-Release with NEW NOISE, WEARY BIRD Records and Genjing Records.
supported by 40 fans who also own “pg.lost / Wang Wen split”
I remember staying jaw-dropping for a minute or two after listening to "Meet Us Where The Night Ends" in the first place... OMG..Reminds me of the best Sigur Ros, but way better. Unbelievable MONO sergpot
supported by 38 fans who also own “pg.lost / Wang Wen split”
It's like being swept on a transcendent journey, where the soaring melodies lift you into a realm of pure escape, embodying a sense of flying away from the mundane. Each note weaves a tapestry of eternal sorrow and compassion, an exquisite balance of sadness and joy that echoes the complex emotions of life itself. lecassette8
Disappear into the shadowy dark ambient on the latest from Carlos Ferreira, each track texturally rich & absorbing. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 11, 2023