Kora Sylfa: Review

Kora Sylfa "Blinkal"

Star rate: * * * *

Sometimes it's easy to get "lost in the music" when listening to electronica. It can be a real challenge to keep your interest, especially if the music itself is lifeless. Electronica is supposed to make you feel good...and that's really the only explanation for Kora Sylfa's surprising full-length "Blinkal".

From the album's opener, "Papillon", the listener is immediately entrenched in the sound. That familiar electronica beat pounds your chest, and before you know it, your head is bobbing with the music. But it's not really the beats that define "Blinkal". It's the background. Swooning violins break through the synth beats, creating an almost mystical experience for the listener.

And if you're looking for a "consistent" album, where each song sounds similar to the next, you won't find it here. The third track, "Climats", immediately changes your whole perspective of the artist. Showcasing an almost oriental sound, it slows the pace but keeps the familiar (and catchy) keyboard lines front and center. And others like "Ghost City", hinting at a sound straight out of Pakistan, only continue the same (read different) path of this album. There's even a song, "Le Film" that sounds like it belongs on some romance movie soundtrack.

While I might have included some more fast, "dance"-type beats throughout the CD, and perhaps less of the lofty and sometimes lengthy interludes, Kora Sylfa is just not about that. The music speaks for itself.

Showcasing a variety of influences unlike many other electronica artists might even dare, Kora Sylfa has created a wonderful, strong piece of art with "Blinkal". It's probably the first album of its genre which failed to lose my interest after the third song. Quite the contrary - the time spent listening to it actually was enjoyable! Pick up "Blinkal", strap on the headphones, and go take a break from life. That's what you'll feel like doing after just one listen.

Not being a huge fan of the genre, "Blinkal" sure kept my attention. To say it impressed me is not saying enough.

7.9/10