Zeitgeber return with their new EP ‘Transforming The Random Crushing Forces Of The Universe Into Manageable Patterns’, an immersive sonic journey through polymetric world music and trancelike psychedelia that draws from Black Flower, Nik Bartsch, Kikagaku Moyo and Dawn Of Midi – as well as 70’s Persian pop and psychedelic Turkish funk.
Where Zeitgeber’s debut album ‘Heteronomy’ focused on chronobiology – the hidden forces and environmental stimuli that regulate and modulate human behaviour – ‘Random Crushing Forces’ take a broader view. Steeped in the philosophy of Alan Watts, the EP explores the interconnected nature of the universe, and the arbitrary nature of both boundaries and dualist/binary categories.
The name of the release refers to mankind’s capacity to slice the universe up into pieces, filtering out information in order to create information and meaning, form theories, and manipulate the world around us. While this unique ability has helped humans flourish, it has come at a cost: unable to perceive the universe’s fundamental interdependence and unity, a sense of existential isolation and despair develops. Imprisoned by our anthropocentric abstractions, we have convinced ourselves that we are somehow separate from the natural world, and feel ourselves to be strangers in the universe.
Musically, Zeitgeber utilise a wide range of instrumentation, including handpan, guitar, bass, harmonium, didgeridoo, whirly tube, clarinet, viola, bass clarinet, krakebs and much more. The majority of these instruments were played, recorded and layered by Zeitgeber’s creator Evan McGregor (Hashshashin, HELU, Squat Club).
On the process of composing ‘Random Crushing Forces’, McGregor says: “I decided to pick particular rhythms that would be the backbone of the songs. That’s what 1010110 and 11010 are. They are binary codes for syncopated odd time patterns. So those rhythms were basically my only parameters to work within. In the end, there are a few minor parts that deviate from those rhythms, but essentially the songs stick to those rhythms.”
“Also, due to the limitations of the handpan, I was conscious to explore new ways to push the music into different scales or modes by omitting certain notes in parts and adding notes outside that scale on other instruments. This time around there is also electric bass which really thickens everything up and adds another harmonic layer. Overall, this time I just pushed everything way harder. The rhythms, polymeters, arrangements, harmonies and melodies are just taking it up a notch or two and I think this one really feels like Zeitgeber is supposed to sound.”
It’s hard to disagree. With ‘Transforming The Random Crushing Forces Of The Universe Into Manageable Patterns’, Zeitgeber have expanded their sonic palette while further refining their compositional style. As the oscillating polyrhythms work to slowly draw the listener into a trance-like state, the music begins to slowly unfold with an unhurried, lush and organic feel.
The result is a wonderfully creative release, and a highpoint for Australian progressive and instrumental music.
Zeitgeber’s new EP ‘Transforming The Random Crushing Forces Of The Universe Into Manageable Patterns’ is out 1 August 2019 on Art As Catharsis.
The first single ‘1010110 – {Self}’ is out now.
