Gondwana Records largely riff off of the idea of mixing jazz into *something* so that you hear a unique and compelling blend of genres. Sunda Arc is the latest discovery I’ve found on their label. Sunda Arc is brothers Nick and Jordan Smart and you may know them as two-thirds of the superb Mammal Hands. Whilst Mammal Hands is more alt-jazz, Sunda Arc sees the brothers tap into their love for electronica and dance music. Bringing along their saxophone and piano, they integrate those acoustic elements into beats, pads, synths and patches to create expansive soundscapes. Think if Bonobo or Caribou made a jazz-infused album with Jon Hopkins, you’d be on the money.
“Distant Siren” is Sunda Arc’s first single for their second album entitled “Night Lands”. The single features the bass clarinet as the main character as synths and beats echo on. It feels both urban and slightly foreboding with a tint of hope in the background. It’s one of those earworms that sets out its mood beautifully and then leaves a hanging musical mist long after it leaves. The album is due out on the 14th of November and is available to pre-order now.
Support Higher Plain Music
Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.