Hysterrae

This album brings together four musicians, all women, from three different traditions who draw on music from Afghanistan to southern Italy and, far from differences emerging, it is the confluences which are striking. In a riposte to the album and project’s title (which I love), the songs deal with the realities of existence, particularly as seen from a female perspective. The themes range from toxic relationships (‘Ruvida’), to loneliness (‘Aziz Djun’ and ‘Kholy’), to life-affirming moments (‘Leyli Leyli’ and ‘Jesce Sole’, the latter with a guest appearance by Albanian cellist Redi Hasa). Much of the music is high energy, the traditional instruments given a fair degree of electronic treatment, without obscuring their individual natures. Iranian musician Shadi Fathi on tar and setar provides much of the melodic interest, and the way she meshes this with the songs is exemplary. However, for me it is the singing, from Cinzia Marzo, Irene Lungo and Silvia Gallone, that stands out, and as the notes rightly say, especially the polyphonic interweaving of vocal lines that runs through many of the tracks. This is an album full of passion and excellent musicianship, given a twist with the careful use of electronics: well worth a listen.