Real Music for Unreal Times: Vol 2

Limitations can spark creativity and the global lockdown necessitated by COVID-19 has been nothing if not a limit to musicians. Finnish hang (handpan) artist Kumea Sound decided to navigate the difficulties by producing an album from his bedroom, broadcasting a message of comfort and contemplation to an isolated world.

Listeners will certainly receive a message about the quality of home recording. The record sounds pure and professional. Opener ‘Everywhere’ summons a sense of strife through cascading hang patterns answered by angsty strings. On ‘A River in a River’ collaborator Ilkka Heinonen wields a jouhikko (Finnish bowed lyre), deepening the sense of unease through its primeval twang. The record offers beauty and hope too. ‘Spring Melody’ is an uplifting tune that hints at the environmental benefits that have accompanied the pain of the pandemic.

Instead of hiding under his bed from the global tumult, Kumea Sound recorded his instrument beneath it. The results are impressive in execution but also in emotion. There will doubtless be much more beautiful music that emerges from this adversity.