Christina Vantzou – No. 4 (2018)

Three years after the beautiful ‘No. 3’ Belgian-based neo classical composer Christina Vantzou releases new material; she continues the numeric progression entitling the album ‘No. 4’, however the eleven pieces venture further into the mix of ambient classicalism, drone, and subtle distortion that characterises her earlier work.

Opening with (the catchy titled) ‘Glissando for Bodies and Machines in Space’ a rhythmic piece based around a looped descending vocal, a brooding deep drone ebbs and flows before the entire soundscape rises to a subtle yet eerie climax whilst ‘Percussion in Nonspace’ is more disjointed, odd ectopic sounds punctuate the almost directionless course of the track creating an almost suspended feel.

Apparently as part of the creation process Vantzou wanted to “blur lines of hierarchy,” and thus allowed all ensemble members and technical assistants to add or delete elements; I’d suggest this shows an immense amount of bravery in her initial concept, that bravery is amply rewarded on pieces like’ At Dawn’ which hints at the darker elements recently employed by Zimmer and Wallfisch during the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack.