Inbox: Itta - 11

Inbox features items that I have recently purchased or received.

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I love Itta. This album is actually my second encounter with Itta as she performed Epik High's "거미줄" on their fourth album. However, her original music is something else. Itta is very much an experimental musician, but unlike many avante garde artists, her music is very accessible (well, at least as far as experimental music goes). In that way, her music is like that of Bjork's, who also produces experimental music that is still accessible (although I wouldn't say that they sound alike).

11 is a concept album, on top of being full of experimental music, with eleven tracks. Each track being (approximately) x:11 long, with each track's minutes equal to the track's sequence number. There are a number of different instruments and sound effects all being used, at times sounding madcap with organs and harpsichords bouncing in waltz meter. Itta herself sings, but doesn't seem intent on follow traditional meter and rhythm for her singing, but tends to explode in controlled, but unpredictable bursts of candy-coated vocals, often singing in child-like sing-song. She also uses absence very well in her compositions, allowing for moments of silence or even for the music/sound to be present, but not pushing an aural agenda.

All this is great, but the thing that blows me away when it comes to Itta's 11 is that despite the fact that the album isn't concerned with producing pop music, it's all wonderful ear candy. The each track screams music, being perfectly expressive through sound, even while ignoring traditional musical conventions when it wants to. I've heard a lot (and produced) a lot of experimental music, but Itta hits that point of experimental insanity and intelligible genius that makes the whole thing just so fascinating to listen to. Honestly, my ears were doing flips at the sounds Itta makes on 11 and I felt my brain open up just a little with sonic joy. That said, this is still experimental music--I am most certain that not everyone's going to find Itta's mix of sonic chaos and aural joy as pleasurable as I have, but being as good as it is, I'd highly recommend that everyone at least give it a shot. Magnificent! 10/10. (Now to see if I can track down her other productions...)

Tracklist:

1. 당신과 나란히
2. atmosphere
3. 이야기
   
4. 들어주었어요
5. 보고싶어
6. nomad x 1900 = 1 (Japanese)
7. nomad x 1900 = 1 (English)
8. nomad x 1900 = 1 (Korean)
9. 영원을 포기하고도 호흡할 수 있는 당신: 과거와 현재
10. messenger
11. 이러한 기쁨

Links:

• Artist MySpace
• Artist Twitter
• Additional Reviews: wakesidevision
• Available at YesAsia