by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Six years in, The Utopia Strong continue to spread their wings, a band who are successfully blending the art of studio recording with that of improvisation. The latter is very much in play on The BBC Sessions, a collection of five tracks recorded in session for Marc Riley on 6Music in September 2022.

Arcana have been fortunate to interview Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi from the band, but for now the word goes to Torabi on how the album progressed. “When we hit a point where all three of us really had something going, we would continue while the proverbial tape was rolling, so, the shorter pieces are the result of about ten or fifteen minutes playing that you wouldn’t have heard.”

What’s the music like?

There is a strong unity between the three protagonists here, and the result is a powerful suite of pieces that creates a wide range of ideas. A lot of the action takes place in the company of drones, providing a point of reference for the listener and a strong harmonic base.

Certainly Miniature Citadels establishes its base early on, the drone supporting some melodic jousting above. The lines are angular but there is an impressive amount of energy generated, supplemented by a chunky rhythm section.

Lamp Of Glory is a beauty, with a melodic figure up top dancing in the half life, like an energetic strobe light. Soon the pipes take centre stage, played by Mike York, a virtuoso display The final two tracks are lengthy studies. The Tower Is Locked is highly descriptive music, the structure in question shimmering in the half light, before an increasingly powerful drum track takes hold. Finally Weather All, a tribute to the much loved producer, is underpinned by a strong, bassy drone over which a number of electronic bleeps and psychedelic riffs play out. The confidence with which these two tracks unfolds is both assuring and impressive.

Does it all work?

It does. The Utopia Strong prove difficult to classify, in the best possible way – and their music and its development are compelling throughout.

Is it recommended?

Most definitely. This is a band still very much in development, but the span and content of these tracks gives an indication of what they are capable of. With three very different musical minds that complement each other well, The Utopia Strong have got to that enviable position where everything they do is well worth experiencing.

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,137 – Tuesday 9 April 2024