Firmly established within the realm of Electronic Experimentation and audacious Progressive soundscapes, The Utopia Strong return with a deeply immersive new work titled “Collapse,” released on May 17, 2024 via Rocket Recordings. The British trio—comprised of Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs, Gong), Steve Davis (yes, the former world snooker champion turned Avant-Garde cult figure), and Michael J. York (Coil, Teleplasmiste)—continues their sonic exploration into abstract Kosmische territories, rendered in a thoroughly modern and highly personal key. With only two extended compositions totaling nearly 40 minutes, “Collapse” represents a coherent and refined evolution of the band’s signature sound. The opening track, “LOVE”, welcomes the listener into a soundworld where the electronic textures of classic German Kosmische Musik—think Klaus Schulze or Popol Vuh—are reimagined in a vibrant and contemporary setting. Spanning 17 minutes, the piece unfolds through layers of synthetic modulations and analog effects that gradually intertwine and expand. A slow and steady crescendo builds tension and atmosphere, only to dissolve in the second half into a minimal, hypnotic finale. Repetitive patterns and rich sonic modulations create a trance-like effect, evoking suspended, almost celestial environments. The production is meticulous, highlighting every micro-detail and inviting deep, focused listening. The second and longer track, “LUCIFER”, surpasses the 20-minute mark and unfolds as an ambient suite in constant flux. Here, the trio masterfully alternates between density and minimalism, constructing immersive sonic landscapes that expand and contract with an almost respiratory cadence. Sweeping synthetic textures envelop the listener, producing an evolving sense of space that grows fuller, then emptier, in seamless transitions. Though devoid of traditional melodic anchors, the piece maintains a strong narrative flow, guiding the listener through phases of vision, introspection, and dissolution. This is a striking example of modern Kosmische and ambient music at its most evocative—introspective, fluid, and uncompromising. With “Collapse,” The Utopia Strong reaffirm their role as torchbearers of an experimental legacy that reinterprets the roots of electronic sound through a lens of intimate, present-day expression. It’s a listening experience that demands presence and surrender, but rewards with profound and regenerative sonic immersion. Minimal in concept yet rich in execution, the album builds through layers of modulated tones and effects that fill the acoustic space with the depth and dynamism of a complex ensemble. For listeners passionate about pure, refined electronic atmospheres and for connoisseurs of the more experimental branches of Kosmische Musik, these two extended tracks offer a modern and deeply personal rendition of the genre’s essence.
Tracklist
01. LOVE (17:08)
02. LUCIFER (20:02)
Lineup
Kavus Torabi
Steve Davis
Michael J. York