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Reviews

Human Cell Signals — Signaling Pathways
(Eclipse Music ECD-2020108, 2020, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2021-11-13

Signaling Pathways Cover art

Human Cell Signals is the unconventional duo of Noora Laiho on kantele and Harri Topi on electric cello. The two use a variety of techniques, including modern electronics, to produce compelling music that sounds very full. There is occasional percussion, but the two main instruments are definitely the focus of the sound. Cello provides many bass parts as well as melodies, harmonies, and atmospherics, while the kantele fills in textures, tonalities, and melodic material, and with the addition of effects, a delicate background ambience. In addition to the atmospheric textures, there are more energetic pieces like “Kick,” where the cello is distorted and plays an aggressive riff — barring the lack of drums, it could work as a rock instrumental. “Stay Strong” is similarly structured, though it does include some kind of percussion that gives it a slightly Middle Eastern feel. For the most part, however, the music is less in-your-face and more soothing, quite beautiful but not sickly-sweet. And often, a listener would be hard pressed to identify the instrumentation without reading the credits. Signalling Pathways is one of the most original and enjoyable things I’ve heard in recent memory.

Filed under: New releases, 2020 releases

Related artist(s): Human Cell Signals

More info
http://eclipsemusicrecordlabel.bandcamp.com/album/signaling-pathways

 

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