Tuesday 13 April 2021

Cortege - Chasing Daylight EP


Labels: Desert Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 26 Feb 2021


Tracklist:


1. Chasing Daylight (Part 1)

2. Chasing Daylight (Part 2)


After yesterday evening's excitement, I wanted to slow things down. This two-track EP comes courtesy of Cortege, a duo from Austin (Texas, USA) that describes their music as post-western ambient doom. Chasing Daylight was released in February via Desert Records (New Mexico, USA) and it follows on from various EPs and Singles dating back to 2016. Here, the duo made up of Mike Swarbrick (who plays bass IV, moog, mellotron and tubular bells) and Adrian Voorhies (drums) is joined by brass musician Michael St. Claire who expands the line-up. This is my introduction to Cortege, as I'm sure it will be for many of you. Let's experience them together.


This is very much another step into the unknown for me musically but when Bandcamp brings up The Owl and L’uomo Nero as similar recommendations, I guess pigeonholing is futile. ‘Chasing Daylight (Part 1)' starts with an extended intro sample that leads into calming instrumental music that definitely has it’s roots on western music. It feels almost improv at times but I’m not sure that’s the case, as it is very well structured and towards the latter half, Cortege’s sound becomes a lot more cinematic too. The added tones of the tubular bells, mellotron, moog and brass all contribute in such a great way to this as well.


‘Chasing Daylight (Part 2)’ follows on instantly with barely a pause. It’s soothing instrumental waves seem to wash over you and even though Cortege is billed and as an ambient doom band, their doom is very much tempered down and at times even avant-garde, if I can be so pretentious to say! Without the opening sample that graced the EP’s first song, this one immediately seems longer, which is actually the truth, as it span almost nine-minutes in total. Again though, it’s a lesson in minimalist yet progressive music. At times barren like the desert but at other times warm and inviting. 


This EP is unlike anything I’ve heard so far this year. It’s not complicated by the addition of vocals and because of that, it’s easier to get lost in music-wise. Cortege are clearly skilled at what they do and deserve to be encapsulated in a longer release in the near future at the very least.


Chasing Daylight is available to purchase digitally or on CD below:-



Cortege - https://www.facebook.com/cortegeatx

Desert Records - https://www.facebook.com/desertrecordslabel

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