Last year we were graced by Penelope Trappes ‘A Requiem’, an album of stunning intensity and gothic shadings which stood out amongst other electronic/ experimental releases because of its sheer emotional range. Now in the wake of this exceptional collection comes ‘OPVS NOVUM’, where the ever- inquisitive Trappes has ushered in some of her kindred musical spirits to repossess the ‘A Requiem’ songs.
Opener Bandorai shows that this collection is no superficial re-mix exercise but an enthralling act of artistic connection. A rework by Swedish sound artist Klara Lewis, the track maintains the moaning cello of the original but isolates a looping phrase to build sneaker wave forms. With vocals manipulated into a lower disorientating tone, the song stretches mesmerically then casts off the layers to leave an abandoned voice.
In interviews about ‘OPVS NOVUM’ Trappes calls the work of her invitees “transcendental creations” and believes the release stands as “a small testament to what it means to reimagine a collective hymnal spirit”. Listening to the album it’s clear that this is no overstatement and that these re-imaginings have come from shared understandings of the original music’s intentions. Like ‘A Requiem’, ‘OPVS NOVUM’ has that same cathartic impact as it navigates a path through grief and darkness.
Saint Etienne’s review of Platinum reinforces the song’s melodic undertow with a tympanic drum pulse and shimmering synth loops. Tension swirls around the track but the momentum hints at getting through to some resolution. Daniel Foggin aka Smote’s take on Red Dove is anthemic and ceremonial with ritual, ancient rhythms. Here the voice is swathed in the mix but still heart melting, destined to tower over the final crashing wave of cymbals and power chords. More subtly Barcelona based sound artist Dania delicately weaves wafting vocals with a weeping cello before sprinkling in some gothic Americana guitar as a gentle twist to Torc.
What’s impressive about ‘OPVS NOVUM’ is that it has maintains continuity despite the number of contributors. Following the same running order as its source rather than a new sequence could have been a risk but the reworked album establishes its own flow. Even the shorter instrumental tracks from ‘A Requiem’ when re-interpreted as longer pieces never veer off course. Sound collagist Flora Yin Wong’s Second Spring pans out as a haunted, guitar twanging, deep breathing drone while Cabaret Voltaire’s Stephen Mallinder takes Caro to a place of creeping oscillations and off key phrases. It’s a piece of other-worldly electronic Gnawa. Perhaps the most sparse but spectacular adaption comes from Sarahsson, the dynamic Devonshire fusionist. Her Malone-esque Anchor Us To The Seabed Floor swells from a single organ note to an earnest crescendo of blast and bass notes. It makes for ten minutes of sobering solitude.
‘OPVS NOVUM’ is an album that absorbs on different levels and there’s clearly some fascination to be had in hearing how the different musicians bring their own perspectives into Penelope Trappes’ creations. Sleep as reworked by Gazelle Twin/ PRIZMA9 is unsurprisingly epic, relentless pounding, scuttling beats and the quivering intensity of the cellos dangles the piece on a knife edge. The track has the dramatic sensibility which underpins Elizabeth Bernholz’s music but here she is careful to keep the carcass of the original song exposed. “Heaven Metal” singer-song-writer Madeline Johnston (aka Midwife) drapes A Requiem in echo and a diaphanous shoegaze pall. For this version Trappes’s vocal sounds more worn and weary while the mourning melody seems chillingly sepulchral.
It’s left to exquisite baroque popster Julia Holter to close ‘OPVS NOVUM’ with Thou Art Mortal. On the original album the song swoops like a fragile Gaelic air but Holter gives it a more unsettled, mysterious feel with her intricate fragmentation. It’s as if an ancient spell is being woven which eventually says farewell with a haze of whispers. As the album drifts away it feels like one of those “and breathe” moments, you need a while to take the whole journey in. ‘OPVS NOVUM’ is definitely a worthy companion piece to ‘A Requiem’ but it’s an album which also spins its own unique sonic web.
Get your copy of ‘OPVS NOVUM‘ by Penelope Trappes from your local record store or direct from One Little Independent Records HERE
