In the face of stress or trauma, our mind has natural defences. This is the weighty and important topic covered by Residual, a three track mini-EP from Hooria-sanei.
By Graeme Smith
A former student of the University of the Arts London, Hooria-sanei is new to our blog but I suspect we will certainly be covering her music again.
As far as EPs go, Residual is perhaps the shortest I’ve had to review. It unfolds in three tracks and just over five minutes, but even in that short time, you feel like you’ve been on a journey.
We are greeted by the barely perceptible, ambient intro of First Signs, a track that slowly builds with swelling layers and percussive textures. There’s a sense of mystery about it as it slowly unpacks itself, finally arriving at an open-ended conclusion.
Shattered Calm is moody, composed of long droning notes and a sense of the cavernous. Listening on headphones is recommended; you will be enveloped by it. Plucked strings add some texture. Fading Echoes then closes the collection with its most powerful moment. A gentle roar of a track, it proves stirringly emotional.
With her new EP, it’s clearly that Hooria-sanei is an artist first and foremost, pushing the boundaries of composition.
Residual is out now and you can give it a listen below.