Khld - No Tears, No Sighs, Only Tomorrow Vanishes Scraps (2024)

No Tears, No Sighs, Only Tomorrow Vanishes Scraps is a deeply evocative EP by Egyptian producer Khaled Weshahy, known as KHLD, where he crafts a narrative that intertwines personal emotions with the poignant visual poetry of the Japanese animated surrealist film Belladonna of Sadness (1973). Inspired by the film, this EP serves as both a sonic tribute to the movie’s protagonist, Jeanne, and a reflection on the broader themes of female suffering and resilience.

The EP opens with "In The Eyes Of Jeanne", a track that envelops the listener in a brooding atmosphere, with haunting sub-tones and ethereal soundscapes that evoke Jeanne’s tragic journey. Followed by "Moans Of Sadness," where visceral noises and distorted drums echo despair and anguish that permeate the narrative. The collaboration with JAY K on "When All Is Lost" adds a layer of raw and emotional intensity, blending ambient calmness with a drone-filled backdrop, capturing the profound sense of loss and hopelessness that mark the EP’s emotional core.

The EP’s second half is made of remixes that push the boundaries of KHLD’s musical exploration. "In The Eyes Of Jeanne (Hålbå Remix)" intensifies the original track’s eerie mood, with its heavy load of haunted textures and oppressive ambiences that mirror Jeanne’s psychological turmoil. "Moans Of Sadness (G.xist Remix)" deepens the bass, layering fragmented beats and deranged screaming which transform the track to a meditative lament that lingers with horrifying reverberations. The EP concludes with "When All Is Lost (Llimbs Remix)", a composition that expands the sound-design and emotional scope of the original, weaving in new sound elements that offer a glimmer of hope amidst desolation.

No Tears, No Sighs, Only Tomorrow Vanishes Scraps is a masterful blend of experimental electronic and dark ambient music which create an immersive and mind-altering sonic experience.

The cover art features a depiction of Jeanne alongside the belladonna plant, both reflecting the EP’s thematic.