Search - Leila :: Blood, Looms, And Blooms

Dark, Elegant, Exquisite and Beautiful!

Rafael Cova | Caracas, Venezuela | 11/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is the exquisite attention to the possibility, behavior, and character of sound that makes "Blood, Looms and Blooms" an accomplished piece of work. Leila's years of experience as a live DJ and programmer (she has recorded music on Aphex Twin's label and done live re-mixing and engineering for Bjork, as well as supporting her with a DJ slot earlier this year) really come into play here. Every single noise, no matter how small in the mix, appears to be heavily treated and subjected to radical EQ taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the Logic computer program she favors. These far-reaching, assured explorations of sound are particularly breathtaking on the album's first single, "Mettle", which is also one of the few exclusively instrumental tracks. The dark mood and layered rhythmic sparring is uncannily reminiscent of fellow label(Warp Records)mate Flying Lotus, and weaves a sample of a dripping faucet that has been sequenced to sound like a beat into the tough fibres of other pleasingly combative lower frequencies. Another highlight is "Daisies, Cats and Spacemen"( the best track of this album), where Leila's sister, the beautiful voice of "Roya Arab", provides striking vocals and lyrics, which are weighted with imagery of ancient cities and "filthy footmarks reflecting tear-filled skies."

Featuring collaborations of special guests like Martina Topley-Bird, Terry Hall, "Luca Santucci" and many others, this album fuses the personalities of its varied guests with an adventurous palette of sound."