Indi – Precipice

Precipice is an impressive foundation for an artist seemingly unafraid to try to break her own musical boundaries

Album Review by Eugenie Johnson | 04 Dec 2018
Album title: Precipice
Artist: Indi
Label: Flying Nun
Release date: 7 Dec

Having built her musical foundation on classical piano, being in Christchurch-based trip-hop group Doprah and previously collaborating with violinist Anita Clark, Berlin-based artist Indira Force – better known under the moniker Indi – has more recently been composing for screen, performance and gallery spaces. In between these many activities though, she's also found time to bring her debut album into the world, one that brings aspects of her previous work together and strings them into beguiling forms.

Throughout Precipice, Indi often brings her neo-classical tendencies to the forefront. Cair Paravel is a purely baroque cut that propels itself on harpsichord and Indi’s own hazy vocals, while Tablelands revolves mostly around piano. The standout title track is a simmering blend of swelling strings and pulsing yet also downbeat percussion. She consistently creates an intimate but oddly eerie atmosphere and, as on the likes of Airportal she pushes and pulls between the claustrophobic and minimalistic with maximalist motifs such as muscular brass. Even on the album’s most experimental moments, such as the haunting and choppy Pith, Indi finely balances all of these elements so that they fit together into an engaging, evocative whole. She forges an individual path that is both ethereal and earthily alluring, making Precipice an impressive foundation for an artist seemingly unafraid to try to break her own musical boundaries.

Listen to: Precipice

https://indissounds.bandcamp.com/