We’ve all been in those situations when we got excited after hearing news about the formation of various supergroups, expecting the outstanding musicianship and quality those musicians had in their previous incarnations. A bitter taste in the mouth was something we experienced on many occasions after hearing all sorts of experimentation, sonic acrobatics, and weird ideas distilled into something somewhat bland and repetitive: predictable songs where it seemed like those musicians left just a glimpse of their true capabilities. But every once in a while, we’re treated to those mind-blowing recordings where some supergroups manage to surprise us with their tremendous ideas, outstanding musicianship, clever arrangements, and other qualities that define the finest albums you could hear nowadays. “U Kišama Meteora” by Infra Hands is certainly one of those albums that surprised us as much as it indulged our experienced ears. And that doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering the band consists of Dejan Stanisavljević (Beograd) on synths and programming, Zoran Kiza Radović (Pressing, Zenit Zed) on vocals and guitars, Sana Garić (Xanax) on synths and backing vocals, and Aleksandra Bengin on cello, seasoned musicians who have been accomplished for so many years through their initial bands and projects. Through ten excellent compositions, they accomplished something supergroups rarely do: maintaining a sound that goes far beyond their original projects. Surely, you can obviously notice there’s plenty of dabbling with electronic and synth music here, as the synths reign supreme during each song, but that’s not the only genre you’ll stumble upon on this epic sonic voyage. Besides synthwave, synth pop, and cinematic ambiance that sometimes could easily end up as a mixture of a retro-sci-fi movie soundtrack and something Einstürzende Neubauten and Swans would eventually record if they were more interested in what’s happening on the music scene nowadays, you’ll hear how all the fundamentals of trip hop, indie, synth rock, avant rock, avant pop got their well-deserved spots in this sonic equation. But, of course, as is usually the case, Infra Hands are not so much interested in genre specifics, and they sound so fresh, unique, innovative, exciting, all while resonating with a subtle touch of nostalgia that gives “U Kišama Meteora” such a hypnotic, addictive, irresistible, ethereal, otherworldly allure.
There are a lot of things going on in “U Kišama Meteora,” and it’s certainly an album that rewards repeated listens. With each new listening session, you’ll stumble upon some hidden gems, easter eggs, surprises, subtle layers, elements, details, decorations, and other beautiful things that certainly define Infra Hands’ sound. The best part about it is how each composition arrives with a perfect structure, decorated with clever arrangements and profoundly detailed segments, brilliant ideas, and outstanding musicianship. Zoran Kiza Radović’s abstract and poetic storytelling gives more questions and answers, which is always a good thing, considering we all should contemplate life. His vocal performance is something to be praised of, not only here, but also on all Pressing’s recordings, considering he always had one of the most genuine, distinctive, and finest vocal performances on the Serbian alternative scene. The same goes here; he navigates through the ethereal and otherworldly spaces, gliding all over those synth, guitar, and cello maneuvers by refusing to be just a simple vocalist who delivers another layer of melody. Quite the contrary, he exists in his own universe, gliding over those soundscapes and acting as the listener’s dearest friend, introducing them to all the cosmic wisdom. On the other hand, Sana Garić is the one who expertly glides all over those low, mid, and high notes, contributing more melody, harmony, complexity, and emotional depth. They coexist here, traveling through all the soundscapes with such precision and finesse. The synth maneuvers sound absolutely divine, offering all those thoughtfully constructed leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, sequences, pads, and all other soundscapes that define this epic sonic voyage. By pairing these layers with many incredible guitar and cello orchestrations, Infra Hands deliver a fascinating experience where each band member shines in a limelight. It’s nearly impossible to miss those instrumental entanglements, as the band put a lot of effort into making them so catchy, memorable, and engaging. And as you dive even deeper into the essence of the album with every upcoming song, you’ll notice how lush, enormous, and complex Infra Hands’ sonic universe truly is.
Once you put this fine piece of plastic on your turntable, it will become nearly impossible to let it go. “U Kišama Meteora” is packed with all-killer, no-filler material, with each composition pushing you into a whirlwind of Zoran Kiza Radović’s cosmic wisdom, Dejan Stanisavljević and Sana Garić’s impressive synth acrobatics, and Aleksandra Bengin’s profoundly emotional cell maneuvers. If you ever wanted to experience something more trip-hop and electronic music have to offer, “U Kišama Meteora” would be a perfect pick not only for a particular occassion but for everyday listen where you need deep, complex, captivating, mediative sonic experience. It’s certainly a top contender for an album of the year in that regard. Head to Discom Records for more information about ordering this gem on vinyl.
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