V/A Anthology Of Experimental Music From China (Album –Unexplained Sounds Group)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, Ritual, Cinematographic, Minimal.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: In this phenomenal compilation series devoted to Experimental music from all over the world, Unexplained Sounds Group now presents an exploration through the Chinese underground scene. Sixteen artists have been selected.
Artists: Chunyang Yao, Liu Yiwei, Baishui, Ruò Tán, Liangyiyuan, Broken Thoughts, Vavabond, Yingshui Dijiang, Hualun, Feng Jiangzhou, Li Yilei, Aplx, Hong Qile, Sun Wei, Xu Cheng, Li Daiguo.
Content: All I can tell you is there really is an underground scene in China. I expected a kind of Folk influences mixed with some Experimental treatments, but discovered surprising artists dealing with Ritual influences, others into pure Experimental creation and still a few Cinematographic projects. From pretty minimal sound experiences towards a touch of Psychedelic music to Noise-Ambient, this compilation really has a lot to offer.
+ + + : I guess it’s not that evident releasing a compilation devoted to any kind of Chinese Underground music genre. The Italian label got some help from Chunyang Yao and Jiahao Cao who both helped to see this project come through. It also is an opportunity to discover an unknown music scene based in a country, which remains driven by a political regime wherein the human rights are too often reduced to silence. But I discovered promising artists and absolutely great songs. Ruò Tán made a great impression on me by a deeply ritual track. This artist already released several Productions on the French-Chinese label WV Sorcerer Productions. Another interesting discovery is Feng Jiangzhou dealing with a more Minimal- and cinematographic track. A similar Cinematographic approach has been accomplished by Liu Yiwei. And if you’re more into a mix of ambient and Noise I can only but recommend Aplx. It’s a diversified, but great sonic experience throughout the Chinese Experimental scene.
– – – : Like any other compilation, there’re always a few artists and tracks that couldn’t totally convince, but belief me, there’s no reason to complaining here.
Conclusion: This new edition in the “Anthology of Experimental Music” is quite a surprise, but the Chinese scene clearly reveals a true potential and features talented artists.
Best bands: Ruò Tán, Feng Jiangzhou, Liu Yiwei, Aplx, Chunyang Yao.
Rate: 7½.
Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup
About Unexplained Sounds Group
Unexplained Sounds Group is an Italian network founded in 2015 by Raffaele Pezzella, who also records as Sonologyst. It documents experimental music scenes worldwide and issues its findings on digital and CD formats, mainly through Bandcamp.
The “Anthology Of Experimental Music” series devotes each edition to a single country or region. The Chinese volume gathers sixteen artists and was released on 7 May 2021 in digital and CD formats.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
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.
