Ecovillage create expansive music. It is ambient yet feels a bit like rock. Without any particular percussion it manages to conjure up images of shoegaze. To some degree I’m reminded of a less distant Tim Hecker as the melodies are more noticeable and intimate.
“Rhonda De Sant Pere” begins the two-track EP. Out of wisps little movements are formed. The two Swedes (Emil Holmström and Peter Wikström) deftly avoid any stasis in the movement. Vocals appear somewhere on the periphery of the piece. Sustained tones morph in the background. Nothing is ever quite focused but it feels better having a lush, meditative sound than something overpowering. Little inclusions of nature field recordings add to the pastoral feeling of the piece.
The second half sprawls for over ten minutes. You don’t really notice the time pass by. “Amadeu I” is more melancholy. Fragments of guitar and violin appear out of the murk. Eventually these all build together into a satisfying conclusion. I’m reminded a little bit of Sigur Ros in this song, perhaps this kind of psychedelic music is native to Scandinavia, I’m not entirely sure.
I am sure about the EP’s quality. Really it came in the nick of time for me. My only hope is they release a full album next time. This is the kind of music you can sit back with and let wash over you for a while. I’d suggest doing exactly that.