A reflection on the parts of patience that don’t involve exerting effort to change things – ‘wait’, the second single from Aphir’s new album ‘The Halo Is Shapeless’
The output of producer and vocalist Becki Whitton has two major streams: intricate and often dark experimental pop, and lush choral works. The Halo Is Shapeless is the latter, a mixture of sublime compositions and vocal arrangements which can draw comparisons to the likes of Julianna Barwick, Holly Herndon and Kelly Lee Owens. Each track is based on an improvised vocal loop. It’s a mesmerising experience witnessing Whitton create these ten sonic sculptures effectively in real time.
“When I originally compiled these songs together at the start of 2022 I was thinking about cataclysmic upheaval and terrifying, paradigm-shifting change,” says Whitton. “It was a weird thing to be thinking about because I was feeling quite comfortable and settled at the time, but I must have smelled something on the wind because 2022 turned out to be all about that kind of cataclysmic change for me.”
“These songs don’t feel like fear or devastation to me, though – they’re kind of like a soothing voice leading you through a change of state. In part, this record is inspired by the imagery in Neon Genesis Evangelion – I’ve always been really inspired by how inorganic the angels look in that show and being reminded of it got me thinking about sacred geometry and geometric vs organic shapes. Eventually I landed on The Halo Is Shapeless.”
The second single is a similar meditation as its name, ‘wait’, suggests. To me this piece is more of a reflection on the parts of patience that don’t involve exerting effort to change things, though – it’s about open-handedly letting events that you have no control over play out and finding things to enjoy while you wait.
Whitton’s dedication to experimenting with her craft plays a huge part in the formation of this project. The Halo Is Shapeless, for example, is the culmination of a year long process of vocal improvisations, featuring elements from her 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-hour livestream improvisations performed across 2021.
Observing both her incredible determination and demonstrable talent, it may come as little surprise that Whitton is a nominee for an Australian Women in Music Award for her engineering and production work. After a breathtaking launch for her last record, Pomegranate Tree, at Phoenix Central Park in New South Wales, Whitton is again eager to sink her teeth into live performances with a yet-to-be announced (and not to be missed) midyear tour.
Aphir’s The Halo Is Shapeless is out May 26 on Art As Catharsis. ‘wait’ is out now.
