It has been quite a journey for Zen Zsigo and Cremation Lily, a path defined by constant flux. It was back in the early ‘10s, that the initial demos of the project appeared. Back then it was all about textural harshness, with Zsigo pushing the power electronics ethos. The initial chaos would subside, and from there on Cremation Lily explored a multitude of different sonic flavors and spaces. The industrial and noise tones of Lines of Golden Light and Fires Frame The Silhouette gave way to an ambient undertaking. Something that even reached a musique concrete essence in The Processes And Instruments of Normal People; Trying and Falling, Falling And Water Running. And from there on, pretty much anything was fair game. Ambient leanings merge with techno, strange cloud rap elements joining in and now for the latest offering in Dreams Drenched In Static a shoegaze trope is introduced.
Dreams Drenched In Static is an amalgamation between the organic and the transcendental. On one hand, there are the beautiful melodic inclinations, at times appearing in an almost classical manner in the intro “Barely Remembered,” or closer “In Pain, Surrendering.” Grand emotive spaces are outlined, piano and strings making an appearance revealing the sentimental soul. And yet, the opposing force is equally all-encompassing. Noise injections, fierce and unstoppable, at times appearing with an elemental quality that covers everything in brilliant colors. But, even in those moments, Cremation Lily still hid treasures beneath the chaos. Under the layers upon layers of harsh synthesizers and noise corrosion lies a humane heart. The vocal delivery greatly adds to this quality, granting a melancholia to the proceedings. The title track encapsulates this aspect brilliantly, the vocals always radiating with emotion, even when pushed through heavy processing. And it is exactly this mode that sees them delivering some of their finest offerings, as is the case with “I Need To Stop Blaming Myself.”
What really stands out for Cremation Lily at this moment in time, is a relaxed stance. The early days' of havoc has subsided, and the descriptive mania of ambient ideas has been limited. Some more out there, experimental notions still persist, with “Moonlight Doses” showing off the musique concrete allure and “Overflowing Velvet” leaning towards ambient electronica. Yet, what prevails is the downtempo electronica side, capable of delivering stunning pieces in an understated way. The laid-back beats and ethereal vocals merge naturally with the noise injections of “Wavering Blood.” It sets up this bizarro lounge aesthetic, of course, disfigured to no end, in “I’m Done.” Even when the flow diverges towards more dance-infused themes, as with “Body On A Lake,” or heavier moments with “Selfless,” Cremation Lily still retain this dreamy spell over the work.
Dreams Drenched In Static proves what was already known regarding the creative prowess of Zen Zsigo. This latest evolution has been coming for a while, as That Light Lasted Our Entire Lives, Nothing Simple And Everything Alive, and More Songs About Drowning let on. And yet, Dreams Drenched In Static is the best representation of this mood, and one of the more complete offerings from Cremation Lily.
