Ultima Canticum, EP 1 is the first in a series of EPs that promise to explore new sonic frontiers by blending natural instrumentation, traditional synthesis, and evolutionary digital processes, as described by the artists themselves. Paul Bavister and Tim Blazdell demonstrate mastery in their use of advanced technologies and hybrid techniques, resulting in soundscapes that are organic and fluid while maintaining experimental complexity. The five tracks offer an immersive listening experience, where each piece stands out as a unique journey, yet they all remain interconnected.
1. Tidal Datum
The EP opens with Tidal Datum, a track that evokes the mystical atmospheres typical of 1980s and 1990s electroacoustic music. The sophisticated electronic sounds create a rich, ethereal ambiance. The careful layering of sounds transports the listener into a suspended dimension, bridging the present with a past steeped in sonic experimentation. The track evokes profound sensations, with a subtle rhythm that recalls the slow, steady motion of the tides, as suggested by the title itself.
2. Desire Line
Desire Line immerses us in a sound world where nature and humanity are intimately connected. Soundscapes rich with cicadas and birdsong blend harmoniously with fluid ambient textures, creating the illusion of a walk through a forest, where every natural sound intertwines with the electronics. The effect is a sensory simulation: not only do you hear it, but you feel as if you’re walking, breathing, and living within the soundscape the track evokes. A truly stunning experience.
3. Abysm
Abysm introduces a darker, more haunting atmosphere. The masterful layering of sounds remains central, with a sonic texture that becomes denser and more oppressive. This track stands out for its eerie, almost unsettling tone, evoking deep, unexplored abysses—perhaps not just of the sea, but of the human soul as well. The sound construction is complex and rich in detail, drawing the listener into a spiral of emotional tension.
4. Apon a Star
Apon a Star marks a stylistic shift, with the first appearance of the piano. Its neoclassical tone, fused with dark elements and electronics, adds a new dimension to the EP. The piano, while maintaining its natural delicacy, is immersed in a futuristic, spatial frame, making the listener feel as though they are floating among distant stars. The contrast between the acoustic piano and the electronic elements enhances the emotional depth of the track, offering extraordinary richness.
5. Cellar Door
Cellar Door closes the EP by partially returning to the atmospheres of Tidal Datum, but with the added element of guitar manipulation. The granular sound, present throughout the piece, is crafted so meticulously that it creates a hypnotic effect. The guitar, deconstructed and reassembled through digital processes, becomes almost unrecognizable, but its essence subtly emerges, creating a captivating and delicate tension. This final track echoes the theme of sonic hybridization, offering a sense of circularity that brings the listening experience to a satisfying conclusion.
Final Thoughts
With Ultima Canticum, EP 1, Paul Bavister and Tim Blazdell deliver a dense, layered sonic experience that flawlessly blends natural sounds, traditional instrumentation, and advanced electronics. The EP celebrates musical hybridization, capable of evoking complex imagery and atmospheres, from natural landscapes to more introspective and cosmic spaces. It stands as a significant contribution to the ambient and experimental music scene, offering a sensory journey that leaves a lasting impression.