istimtā’ – a Romanized take on the Arabic word ‘إِسْتِمْتَاع’, meaning ‘jouissance’ or ‘enjoyment’. The new album from composer Horny Cricket explores this concept wholeheartedly, and it makes for an unparalleled, enlightening listen.
The immersive and extensive journey Arroyo de mi Imaginación begins the 15-track collection, over six minutes of looping melody and juxtaposition between intense bass and dreamy, delicate synth notes. The imaginative realm connects with the title for a uniquely engaging, hypnotic listen, and starts off the album not with a song but with an experience; one that swiftly quietens the outside world as you fall further under its spell.
Retro bass and strong riffs continue to make up much of istimtā’, as do these ethereal, higher tones, found throughout the brief yet euphoric New Mexico Pika – a somewhat nostalgic, Vangelis-like performance of keys and atmospheric embrace.
Da Beat follows with a similar thread of character but a whole new explosive and energising presence – alongside breaths of humanity and warmth, to take over the headspace entirely.
Our composer advises that istimtā‘ is best listened to through high-fidelity headphones – the intricacies and intensities of sound are indeed finely-designed, for a fully enveloping audio venture.
808ing injects a vocal thread unexpectedly, a questioning loop of lyrics and daft-punk effects that naturally meet the style and energy of these vintage production tools and instruments. Then the unmistakable sound of Frere Jacques cleverly follows to recapture any wandering minds; an unprecedented take that’s increasingly experimental.
Other highlights include the subsequent dance-ready and melodically infectious Loopy the Ill, the unexpected panning of a brief yet captivating Mounib, the intrigue and melancholic, mildly dissonant chord progression of The Subject-Octopus Problem, and the eighties-esque warmth and cinematic embrace of To Keith.
There’s also a welcomed touch of space and contrasting power to the initially minimalist, later intense and overbearing Santa Fantastic – an artistic expression in and of itself. Plus the joyfulness of Vibin’ With Nature lifts the mood beautifully – and embodies the implications of the album title really well.
Horny Cricket raises the creative bar with this album, the closing track Woah making light work of bringing things to a memorable and moving finish, and reminding its audience of the complex yet purposeful journey that was istimtā’ in full.
Check out Horny Cricket on Twitter, Apple, Instagram, Bandcamp & his Website.
