A Closer Listen
The debut album from Disiniblud (Rachika Nayar and Nina Keith), reviewed here, was one of our site’s favorite surprises of summer, so we were overjoyed to hear there would be a remix album ~ even more so when we saw who was on it.
Kelly Moran, whose Don’t Trust Mirrors enchanted us earlier this autumn, was the first announcement, her hybrid ambient-electronic sound perfect for standout cut “Blue Rags, Raging Wind.” In this artist’s hands, the stuttering electronics of the original are stretched into languid keys, the mallet instruments of the later half arriving like the promise of a new morning. This softer, more restrained take brings out the nuances of the track, exposing the fragile onomatopoeia. When the piano enters, it seems more like a reimagining than a remix. Later in the set, Kerry McCoy adopts a completely different approach, infusing the track with drum ‘n’ bass energy, still allowing room for a breakdown. Playing all three versions, one may choose one’s favorite energy level and viscosity.
“It’s Change” also appears in two versions, one the instrumental mix of the original (which features Willy Siegel, Katie Dey and Julianna Barwick). Daedelus handles the remix, placing the vocals a bit further back and preserving the tempo changes. The second half is taffy-stretched, even more than the original. “Serpentine” is a palette cleanser on the debut album, with Cassandra Croft’s ethereal voice lounging atop the music like a contented cat. The bulk of the original is acoustic, but there’s a club cut embedded from 4:25- 5:45, a factor that The Field exploits by making the entire piece club-worthy and expanding the length from 7:35 to 11:04. While the drums do disappear at the end, this still leaves room for the DJ’s next 12″ to enter.
The LP’s title track, suggesting a room of newly awakened music boxes, is radically transformed by Baths, whose ebullient keys make the track perfect for a Miami set list. The sharpness is replaced by smoothness, while the energy is greatly increased. All in all, the EP is a great way to rediscover Disiniblud, or to discover them for the very first time. This release infuses the album with new life, while leaving room for a follow-up, as half of the originals are still untouched. Bring on Part Two! (Richard Allen)
Fri Nov 28 00:01:54 GMT 2025