A Closer Listen
Over the past two years, Kyiv’s ummsbiaus has been quietly amassing a number of suites, which now total four. Hydroelectric Suite No. 4, Op 9, like the previous suites, is an electronic work constructed in the mode of modern composition. As the third suite to address Ukraine’s “energy genocide,” it also forms a trilogy with the Enerhonor and Metro suites.
While the suite begins with the vibrancy of life and ends in the horror of destruction, it awaits real-time updates on the ground. “Dnipro Reservoir Cascade,” the first of three pieces recorded at the Vilnius Energy Museum, references traditional Ukrainian folk dances, overlaying them with the omnipresence of machinery. Midway through the short piece, the dance turns from traditional to industrial, a reflection of the current conflict. A series of rhythmic clashes toward the end recalls Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” and Björk’s “Cvalda.” The theme continues in “Kyïv Hydroelectric Station,” an unusual duet between organ and transformer, dedicated to the Ukrainian Air Defense forces tasked with keeping the station safe. The acceleration of the tempo reflects the heightened heartbeats of those under fire, while the closing signals resemble a Morse distress signal. “Harp, piano and control room ambience” are the hallmarks of “Run-of-the-River,” where drum patterns suggest energy itself, flowing through the river, the plant and the people. In the second half, music box patterns are revealed, a nostalgic ambience, a remembrance of more peaceful times.
And then: horror. “Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station (Destroyed)” switches gears from the beautiful flow of a river to the russian destruction of a dam, a dual crime against nature and humanity. A sense of foreboding snakes through the piece, which includes electrical circuits, leaking water and a growing drone. As the music retreats, a distant surge of water can be heard, growing ever closer until the end.
ummsibiaus has carved out a unique sonic space in which the sounds of crumbling infrastructure are mixed into industrial-toned suites. While most industrial music implies sci-fi, her music is an ongoing documentary reflecting a real-time apocalypse. As the invasion lurches toward its third anniversary, are we yet unmoved? (Richard Allen)
Sat Feb 08 00:01:10 GMT 2025