Over the past few weeks, our most active record reviewers have had the task of choosing their 5 favorite recordings of 2023, and here they are. This selection is unique and quite different of all you can find on the web or through traditional medias.
A confession: this record was released at the end of 2022, but was really discovered in 2023. A Slovenian trio, completely out of the ordinary, that has had an impact on me all year long. Alt-folk music that’s completely original The Liquified Throne of Simplicity is the fourth album by Sirom, formed by Ana Kravanja, Iztok Koren and Sao Kutin, all from the alternative scene in Slovenia, the Switzerland of Eastern Europe. A complex journey that takes you from Central Europe to the Balkans, via Africa, Bali and the Middle East. At times, you might think you’re listening to Jon Hassell or John Cale’s flayed viola from the Velvet Underground. But these are only acoustic instruments, whose sound is transformed by “acoustic resonators”. The band even invents some instruments, using banjo, lute, lira, ocarina, guembiri and a host of others. There’s also Ana Kravanja’s lovely voice. I was astounded and thrilled by this group, who offer us long, complex but touching pieces. This record was apparently inspired by long ballads in the Slovenian countryside and mountains during the pandemic.
To see the complete list, click here!
