STRIDULUM II
ZOLA JESUS
©2010, Sacred Bones Records
Wow. I mean, just ... wow. I really don't think I have the arsenal of words needed to describe this record and do it justice but, I'll try.
The story behind Zola Jesus' revelatory Stridulum EP and its fleshed-out followup LP Stridulum II begins with a chance viewing of a rather obscure film from 1979 called "The Visitor." Known also by its Italian title of "Stridulum," this whacked-out movie is essentially an LSD trip recorded on camera, centering around a young girl with telekinetic powers who possesses in her both the seeds for good, and the seeds for a powerful force of evil that may spell the end of civilization. Directed by Giulio Paradisi and with a cast featuring the likes of Mel Ferrer, Lance Henriksen, John Huston, Shelly Winters, and Sam Bloody Peckinpah, it's a weird cult film that was, shall we say, interesting.
This film, particularly a scene in which "Goodness," personified by John Huston, comes down from the sky in a cascade of doves and light and attempts to "wash away" the girl's bad side (and the accompanying soundtrack), did not go unnoticed by a young woman in Phoenix, Arizona named Nika Roza Danilova. Known by her stage name of Zola Jesus, and with ten years training of opera singing under her belt, she was inspired to record Stridulum and, as it turns out, one of the best albums of the year, hands down.
This is quite literally a thrilling album, deep and mysterious and full of emotion. From the opening number "Night" to closing time with "Lightsick," Danilova brings to mind the best vocal performances of Siouxsie Sioux and Kate Bush, splashing and dashing the flavour with sleek and dark synth brushstrokes and a mighty dollop of mezzo soprano classicism. Something dark and wounded in the night; a decision upon which balances the difference between success and failure; a heavy head, lost in the fog of confusion; and the blindness that careens from the deepest pits of despair -- this is not a happy record. But the music! And her voice! It soars and falls, like tendrils of the blackest smoke you've never seen ... it's a revelation to listen to. At times hopeful, at times bleak, and never, ever less than fascinating, Zola Jesus has created something strange and special -- something that, once heard, can change the way one listens to music. It's that damn good. Pay special attention to "Sea Talk." Like a funeral dirge backed by towering organs and a militaristic drumbeat, when Danilova sings, "Sick / I'm sick, honey / I don't, I don't got the money / Do you want a raincheck?" you can feel the raw emotion all the way down your backbone.
This powerful and emotive record is now officially a contender for Second Drawer Up's Album of the Year. Check it out, by all means. You won't regret it at all.
This film, particularly a scene in which "Goodness," personified by John Huston, comes down from the sky in a cascade of doves and light and attempts to "wash away" the girl's bad side (and the accompanying soundtrack), did not go unnoticed by a young woman in Phoenix, Arizona named Nika Roza Danilova. Known by her stage name of Zola Jesus, and with ten years training of opera singing under her belt, she was inspired to record Stridulum and, as it turns out, one of the best albums of the year, hands down.
This is quite literally a thrilling album, deep and mysterious and full of emotion. From the opening number "Night" to closing time with "Lightsick," Danilova brings to mind the best vocal performances of Siouxsie Sioux and Kate Bush, splashing and dashing the flavour with sleek and dark synth brushstrokes and a mighty dollop of mezzo soprano classicism. Something dark and wounded in the night; a decision upon which balances the difference between success and failure; a heavy head, lost in the fog of confusion; and the blindness that careens from the deepest pits of despair -- this is not a happy record. But the music! And her voice! It soars and falls, like tendrils of the blackest smoke you've never seen ... it's a revelation to listen to. At times hopeful, at times bleak, and never, ever less than fascinating, Zola Jesus has created something strange and special -- something that, once heard, can change the way one listens to music. It's that damn good. Pay special attention to "Sea Talk." Like a funeral dirge backed by towering organs and a militaristic drumbeat, when Danilova sings, "Sick / I'm sick, honey / I don't, I don't got the money / Do you want a raincheck?" you can feel the raw emotion all the way down your backbone.
This powerful and emotive record is now officially a contender for Second Drawer Up's Album of the Year. Check it out, by all means. You won't regret it at all.
zola jesus
"sea talk"
stridulum ii
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