ABRACADABRA – Polyphonic Exophilia (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

There is a simple reason why Polyphonnic Exophilia never seems to put a foot wrong. It’s because when you are navigating your way through such new and untrampled sonic territory, there is nothing that can be considered a misstep. When you blazing a trail and creating music so utterly unique, then there is no right way, no wrong way, there is just the way. If there is nothing to judge what they do against, how do you know if they are getting it right or not? If a band is doing something with no precedent to compare and contrast their work, they are doing something right.

I said much the same when writing about the excellent Vol.2, but if I repeat myself, it is only because Polyphonic Exophilia is repeatedly searching, adventurous, experimental and genre-hopping.

ABRACADABRA is a series of intriguing and exotic instrumentals which call on everything from free jazz and funk to neo-soul and psychedelic pop. And if the music found here results from these various generic identities being merged and melded, the musical personalities of these genres, as much as the associated sounds, create a unique sound.

Free jazz is characterized by its unrestricted improvisational nature, allowing musicians to break away from traditional structures and embrace spontaneity. The genre thrives on experimentation, encouraging artists to explore unconventional sounds, dissonance, and time signatures. In stark contrast, funk embodies a groove-oriented rhythm that pulsates with infectious energy, driven by tight basslines, syncopated drums, and soulful horn arrangements.

When these two worlds collide, the result is a sonic landscape that effortlessly blends the wildness of free jazz with the irresistible funk grooves, sometimes slowly and subtlety as on ABRAC, sometimes more obviously and energetically, such as on the Stevie Wonder-esque ABRACADA. Oh yes, they have a similarly exciting take on track titles, but you can work out how that goes.

Neo-soul borrowings, with their soulful melodies, smooth grooves, and introspective lyrics, act as an essential ingredient in this concoction, often smoothing over the more angular edges, and the element of Psychedelic pop brings a sense of otherworldliness, expanding the sonic palette with swirling synthesizers, ethereal textures, and mind-bending effects. It adds an element of escapism, taking the listener on a journey through dreamlike landscapes and experimental soundscapes.

Much like the art of mixing colours, there is a skill to blending musical elements. When done poorly, the result can be a monotonous and unappealing shade, lacking vibrancy, and too many cool colours cancelling each other’s potential and properties. However, when done right, it can produce something remarkable that captivates the senses. Polyphonic Exphilia exemplifies this artistry, unveiling a sonic landscape adorned with vivid Day-Glo hues and infectious grooves, paving the way to an exciting and radiant musical future.