Pétala

Pétala is the second album from Portuguese accordionist Inês Vaz. The title is inspired by the final lines of the poem ‘Até Chega a Mi’ by Maria Teresa Horta (‘petal after petal until it reaches me’). Bolder and more contemporary than Vaz’ first record, Pétala invites listeners to lose themselves in a musical labyrinth. Vaz achieves extraordinary sounds on the accordion to create a soundscape that’s strange, beautiful and nightmarish. Poetry readings add to the surreality. As well as several original compositions, Vaz tackles pieces by Astor Piazzolla, Brad Mehldau, Maurice Ravel, Modest Mussorgsky, and Vladislav Zolotaryov. A standout is ‘Ítaca’, which begins as a gentle waltz before a tension-building staccato breaks into long notes and a flurry of expression. ‘Contradições’ sums up the record; a brooding lament underneath spine-chilling poetry. Pétala is a tough listen but the musical proficiency and artistic originality must be admired.