Emerging from the vast expanse of the sonic universe, the latest from Caterina Barbieri, Myuthafoo, materializes as an awe-inspiring cosmic symphony of modular synthesis. Each progression reveals a novel facet of the Italian artist's intricate psyche, forming a mesmeric dance between cerebral creativity and raw passion and demonstrating a command of modular synthesis that defies conventional paradigms.
Barbieri's latest opus, Myuthafoo, is an audacious continuation of her avant-garde electronica journey.
Delving into Barbieri's creative expanse requires an immersive dive into her illustrious discography. Her 2017 breakthrough, Patterns of Consciousness (Important Records, 2017), surfaced as a daring exploration, artistically fusing the steadfast rigidity of minimalism with the fluid other-worldliness of trance. Influenced by pioneers like Morton Subotnick and Manuel Göttsching, she carved out her space in the electronic music realm while exerting a palpable influence on contemporary artists operating in modular synthesis.
Fast forward to 2019, her masterful release, Ecstatic Computation (Editions Mego, 2019), ambitiously ventured into uncharted terrain, captivating audiences with its innovative choral elements and intricate tonal journeys. Yet, it's within the tracks of Myuthafoo where Barbieri's unique aesthetic vision truly comes to fruition.
Bred amidst the dynamic whirlwind of Barbieri's extensive touring schedule, Myuthafoo resonates with the immersive energy intrinsic to her live performances. Utilizing the Orthogonal ER-101 modular sequencer, Barbieri tuned into audience responses, shaping her sonic landscapes in real time. This unique, reciprocal engagement infuses a lively pulse into the album, engendering sequences that vibrate with cosmic energy and echo the rhythm of the collective human response.
The album's inaugural track, the bite-sized Memory Leak, bristles with vibrant saw wave arcs and trancey arpeggiation in an invigorating conversation of sound. Math of You weaves a kaleidoscopic tapestry of sound blips that interact with their environment, simultaneously displaying triumphant, melancholic, and psychedelic emotions.
The titular track, Myuthafoo, provides a contrast, its mellifluous sequence gradually winding down to a meditative crawl, the echoes of which ripple into the infinite cosmos. Conversely, Sufyosowirl explodes into audibility with its dramatically captivating composition, evoking the vibrancy of a grandiose Jean-Michel Jarre spectacle and exhibiting a grittier edge indicative of its trial-by-fire genesis.
Yet, Barbieri's creative prowess transcends the bounds of traditional music production. Her compositions artfully intertwine technology and biology, crafting a vivid aural ecosystem. This philosophy is embodied in Swirls of You, a track that lifts listeners on a celestial trajectory, painting an immersive universe where time, space, and memory converge into a singular narrative thread in a world directed by David Lynch and soundtracked by Aphex Twin.
Myuthafoo illustrates Caterina Barbieri’s symbiotic relationship with technology, biology, and cosmology, showcasing her ability to construct music that resonates on a primal level while maintaining a distinctly futuristic aesthetic. She continues to push the boundaries of sonic exploration, inviting listeners on an extraordinary voyage through epic-sized, immersive work. If Myuthafoo is any indication, the journey ahead promises to be as thrilling as its existing path.
