The Crystal Ark – The Tangible Presence Of The Miraculous review

Whilst the raw orgasmic energy of Black Meteoric Star was impressive, it seems that Gavin Russom has really hit his stride with The Crystal Ark. The addition of vocalists and Brazilian polyrhythmic percussion has imbued Russom’s music with a new psychedelic energy that is utterly captivating. The second release from The Crystal Ark captures this energy perfectly. Snappily titled “The Tangible Presence of the Miraculous”, it hurtles along at a hypnotic 135bpm. It’s not short either at near 14 minutes but totally consumes your senses, not least due to the menacing acid pulse that dips and throbs throughout. On top this Russom plays orchestrator to thumping percussion from Alberto Lopez, layers of druggy synths and vocal interplay between long term collaborator Viva Ruiz and Lizzy Yoder. At the tracks most psychedelic point, a haunting organ riff comes to the fore before yielding to Russom’s own chant of being on fire which melds to now completely lysergic acid throb as the track plays out.

On the flipside, Russom presents an equally intricate instrumental version which reduces the vocal contributions to just the rhythmic chanting. The emphasis here is expanding on the psychedelic qualities of that acid throb, which Russom transforms into a mind melting globule of druggy brilliance across the length of the track. Yet more essential music from the Brooklyn offices of DFA Records.

Tony Poland