Producer, drummer and vocalist Chris W Ryan of Robocobra Quartet released a very interesting EP last week under the name Sorbet.
Life Variations is a three-track EP that focuses on birth, living and death that uses the same two-chords on each track as its foundation and extends and elongates musical ideals around it.
“Every time I sat at the piano I played that same chord progression and it felt never-ending. It felt like I could play the same two chords for a lifetime”.
Life Variations is released via German label Bureau B and is large in its scope both thematically and musically.
The three tracks here mirror the cycle of life – ‘Birth (My First Day)’ is open with possibilities of the new, a relatively sprightly intro before the 12-minute piano and synth flutter of ‘Death (The Year I Died)’ which was recorded in São Paulo, Brazil while Ryan was a musician in residence courtesy of PRS Foundation. Ryan sings of death and remembrance as the din of experimental arrangements grows higher, recedes and undergoes metamorphosis and expands again.
‘Living/Dying’, the third track, serves as a sort of epilogue, with Arborist singing of final ends. “”If this is to be the last time I bathe in soft silver light then I’m satisfied”.
A full-length LP is forthcoming.
“I’m interested in following my own path instead of contributing to the din of Ableton-style electronic productions entrenched in the classic dance music idiom of 808 and 909 drum machines”.
Chris W Ryan
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Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.