Fresh out from the always interesting Hive Mind Records is Nicole / Overwhelmed by the Unexplained, which places two EPs on one vinyl disc from Nino Gvilia, an artist described by the label as a singer-songwriter born in Poti near Lake Paliastomi in the country of Georgia. But in reality, Nino Gvilia is the wholly fictional construct of Italian vocalist, sound artist and performance artist giulia deval, her creation intended to inspire contemplation “on the place of the songwriter in times of global crisis.” The record succeeds in its thematic ambitions and most importantly, it sounds good, too.
For this pairing of EPs as an album, Nino Gvilia is responsible for songs, lyrics, vocals, toy guitar, harmonium, and field recordings (with an assumption made that the credited Gvilia is giulia deval). Alongside are her collaborators Zevi Bordovach (arrangements, synth, Hammond, harmonium, vocals), Pietro Caramelli (arrangements, electric guitar, electronics, vocals), Giulia Pecora (violin), and Clarissa Marino (cello). There is also a choir for one track, the excellent “Dirty is just what has boundaries,” that features Bordovach, Caramelli, Amos Cappuccio, Erika Sofia Sollo, Giulia Beccaria, and Matteo Martino.
Conceptual recordings such as this one ultimately sink or swim on how substantial they are as a listening experience; this isn’t to discount a presentation (in this case a fabrication) that’s based in ideas, instead, it’s simply a statement on what should be obvious: if the sounds hold up, then the point(s) being made be given deeper consideration.
Thankfully, the songs and musicianship are sturdy across Nicole / Overwhelmed by the Unexplained, in addition to stylistic range that’s sharpened by a singular, if fictitious, persona (and the very real artist behind it). Opening track “Nicole” is moodily intense with strong singing (up close conversational then boldly soaring) and with its noirish trip-hop air, it’s a decidedly ’90s proposition.
“Forests, quatrain” scales back considerably, combining a beautifully fragile vocal weave with a nature recording, and “Diaphanous” applies a similar tactic, except this time it’s one voice accompanied by guitar and the sound of running water. It’s a folky turn with an experimental edge, but it’s the brief emergence of bowed strings that puts it over the top.
“Raspberry Hands” is infused with harmonium and florid singing somewhat redolent of Bjork, though the sounds do branch out and the track ends in a much different place from where it started. Side one’s finale “Last Trip” returns to the folky zone, but this time is more indie folklike as the mingled girl-guy vocals are a bit reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens.
The flip (and EP two) begins with “Anders,” its cyclical organ lines recalling Terry Riley, and the vocals, alternating between spoken intimacy and passionate fights, enhanced again by vibrant strings. The aforementioned choir in “Dirty is just what has boundaries” is featured a cappella, their singing, also cyclical, bringing ’80s Downtown NYC to mind. Deeping the track and strengthening the record’s conceptual foundation are recordings capturing portions of public speeches, including one by evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis.
“Those who care” is another folky excursion, with strings that bring a progressive angle; in combination with the timbre of the singing there are similarities to Josephine Foster and even Joanna Newsom, connections that extend into “Rain on Paliastomi” to amplify a mid-2000s freak-folkish vibe. “Overwhelmed by the unexplained” closes the second EP, offering a spoken piece enhanced with a hovering musical tension (cinematic, but quite underground Eurocentric) plus a mid-section of looped chanting that’s offset with chamber strings.
Robust in both form and content, Nicole / Overwhelmed by the Unexplained is a consistent success across both EPs, often challenging but never trying. There are only 300 vinyl copies available worldwide, so for interested parties, time is of the essence.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
A-
