ALBUM REVIEW: Sunir – IANAI
Little is known about the origins of Trevenial, the creative mastermind behind IANAI. What is known is that IANAI transcends the musical spectrum on a truly global scale. The singer’s debut album Sunir draws influence and is inspired by the vast array of indigenous music from all over the world whilst being shrouded in dark indie atmospheres. From behind the veil Trevenial’s heavenly and ethereal voice permeates culture with the ability to influence without any boundaries; like an ancient Greek oracle or an Old Norse vǫlva, IANAI’s music serves as a vessel for messages from the old world. The album itself may have been years in manifesting, but coming at a time when the world has faced severe loss and unimaginable grief, its healing yet enigmatic aura is sure to calm the most anxious souls as Trevenial transports you across the world through song.
It is hard to describe the sheer beauty and otherworldly nature of Sunir. From the outset it is clear that IANAI has a purpose and a message, deciphering that is the difficult part as Trevenial utilises tongues that have long been forgotten, or at least an interpretation of those languages – either way it is open to interpretation and is only limited by your own mind. What the album does embody however, is the freedom and fluidity that we all crave on a primal level. Sunir is free from the shackles of convention, breaking the confines of creative formalities and structures to deliver something truly intrinsic and intricate which echoes the complexities of the human mind and soul. It harks back to a time before named gods sat upon their mountains and in their halls, where ancient spirits were free to roam unburdened. Trevenial has transcended ages, through the fog of myth and legend to deliver a set of songs handed down from mysterious ancient beings.
As the album progresses the listener is treated to a plethora of musical delights from places such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Scandinavia and South America. IANAI has truly travelled the world through Sunir; whilst it has been a long path the knowledge and learning required along the way to refine and consolidate the vast array of musical variety into a single album is remarkable. Alongside this investment into musical culture, Trevenial has breathed Sunir into existence through the power of collaboration. Harnessing the musical abilities from a cohort of modern musicians and orchestras to bring IANAI’s vision to life. MASSIVE ATTACK, HIM, SISTERS OF MERCY and THE RASMUS, to name a few, have lent their services to the sublimely divine Trevenial. In many ways it feels like Sunir has two purposes: to spiritually heal and to transport you across the world through cinematic soundscapes. It is so easy to get lost in the album’s entrancing, ethereal atmospheres that it is hard to describe the effect that the album will leave on you, but there is no question that its beauty would soften the hardest of souls.
Over the record’s hour and nine-minute runtime, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of sound, with celestial melodies accompanied by earthly harmonies that speak to an ancient part of the human psyche. It would require a second review to truly break down the album into easily digestible pieces but there are many stand out highlights on Sunir. Leading single Savoj Icoil captures your attention with startling efficiency, opening up your mind to intrigue and awe. Manda Navaja is a tenser, more action packed affair, with pounding drums and vocals that drift over the tops of snow capped peaks, glimmering off of glacial valleys and harmonised by the spirits of the North.
Khaalo follows on from the title track (which unusually serves as an atmospheric interlude) and offers a bright, summery moment in the middle of the album as Trevenial’s music starts to venture south. Akrar Adi’re is an epic moment of contemporary song writing with orchestral power with a tantalising Middle Eastern flavour. Luscious vocal melodies are supported by a triumphant horn section and dramatic strings as you imagine ancient cities like Istanbul, the bridge between West and East. Nine-minute epic and album closer Samovela wraps things up, a thought-provoking and ambitious song that sees the whole world unfold in front of you, inspiring hope and perseverance that one day the world will be a better place for all.
Sunir is a deeply evocative and intense album, and not one that can be simply thrown on in the background. It has to be listened to attentively, taken into your subconscious and loved. The mysterious, celestial spirit of Trevenial is a hopeful voice from a time before time existed – IANAI has given the world a piece of heavenly opulence.
Rating: 9/10
Sunir is set for release on June 10th via Svart Records.
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