‘Kashmiri Queens’ presents a more accessible side of Muslimgauze, featuring a faster tempo and fewer sonic
overtones than his previous endeavors. The music’s core is rooted in drone and raga samples complemented by a rich array of ethnic percussions. This 12″ stands out for its authenticity, allowing the sounds of tablas, sitars, and various ethnic wind instruments to flourish openly without being interrupted. There’s a notable departure from the usual style in one track, adopting a floating, ambient-like approach. While the music maintains a strong percussive quality, vocals make only occasional appearances throughout the tracks. It marks a departure from the artist’s previous abrupt
transitions, favoring a more concentrated and steady approach to the music. Sounds are allowed to linger for extended durations, providing a deeper listening experience. The beats take a backseat this time, although they remain a significant part of the musical tapestry. Notably, track 9 is completely beatless, showcasing the artist’s ability to create dramatic and twisted sonic landscapes with looped and distorted vocal excerpts. The tracks featured on ‘Kashmiri Queens’ maintain a clean and polished sound, allowing the instrumentation and composition to shine. The third track weaves together drums, bells, a female singer, and enigmatic extended tones to create a compelling sonic journey. Track 4 introduces a drum-loop with a sussurus element and a backwards orchestral loop, culminating in an unexpected rhythm shift. Track ten employs a metallic tapping loop as its foundation, creating a distinctive rhythm in collaboration with the tabla. It also incorporates elements of strings, offering a dynamic soundscape reminiscent of early
Muslimgauze work. The penultimate track is a moody and minimal masterpiece that plays with layers of metal loops, tabla, and zither, demonstrating the artist’s innovative approach. In summary, ‘Kashmiri Queens’ is an impressive addition to the Muslimgauze discography, staying true to their signature sound while introducing distinct elements that make it a must-have for fans of their work. Limited to 500 copies on black vinyl.