Ulesa – II (Digita/CD Album – Zoharum)
Three years after their enigmatic debut, Ulesa returns with a haunting follow-up. The new album features 8 tracks, each simply titled with numbers from 1 to 8. Musically, the familiar influences resurface, blending elements of Dark-Ambient, Ritual soundscapes, and pure Experimentalism. This strange and evocative journey is brought to life through intricate details, including the haunting call of a trumpet, ghostly background voices, and ritualistic percussion. While not every track captivates equally, there are undeniable gems within this collection that make it a compelling listen. (Rating:8).
Listen to “VII”:
About Ulesa
Ulesa is a trio releasing through the Polish label Zoharum. The group debuted in 2021 with the self-titled album “Ulesa”, an ethereal work in the vein of the early 4AD catalog, marked by misty vocalizations, a dreamlike and melancholic aura, and touches of darkness and mystery. The vocal parts are performed by Ania of the Polish band Szklane Oczy.
The follow-up “II” premiered on June 18, 2024, again on Zoharum, and continues the direction of the debut across eight numbered compositions. Like its predecessor, the album was released on CD in a four-panel digipack and digitally. That second album is the release reviewed here.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
