Photo: Julie Calbert

Christina Vantzou is preparing to drop her new album, No.5, on November 11th through Kranky. With the release date nearing, and following the mysterious ‘Red Eel Dream’ and the magnificent and immersive ‘Surreal Presence (for SH and FM)’, the phenomenal composer and visual artist has shared a new single titled ‘Kimona I’, and a visual accompaniment featuring footage from Lizzie Borden’s 1983 feminist film, Born in Flames. Speaking about it, Vantzou commented:

“Filmed in the early 80’s, mainly in the East Village, largely with friends, non-actors and activists, Born in Flames is a film about work, class & race divisions, and organized revolt. Meanwhile on No. 5, ‘Kimona 1 & Kimona II’ were written for workers, specifically low-wage employees at giant institutions.”

Of her collaboration with Christina Vantzou Lizzie Borden said:

“I was honored when Christina Vantzou approached me with her beautiful piece of music “Kimona I,” accompanied by scenes from my film “Born In Flames”. As we collaborated, I was stunned to see familiar images take on new meaning when set against her haunting, elegiac music. Thank you for your exquisite work, Christina.”

Watch the video for ‘Kimona I’ below.

Following the magnificent and immersive ‘Surreal Presence (for SH and FM)’, Christina Vantzou has shared a second single titled ‘Red Eel Dream’. Flowing with mystery, the new track is taken from her upcoming record No.5, set for release on November 11th through Kranky. ‘Red Eel Dream’ comes with a video made by Eva L’Hoest in collaboration with Vantzou and you can watch it below.

Photo: Julie Calbert

Brussels based composer and visual artist Christina Vantzou has announced the release of a new album entitled No.5. The follow-up to 2018’s No.4 marks the fifth instalment in her staggering series of numbered albums, exploring and melding classical, ambient, and minimalism. Vantzou envisioned the album when she performed at the Syros International Film Festival in the Aegean Sea and after relocating to the Cycladic island of Ano Koufonisi, she stripped down and condensed hours of raw recordings into the 11 pieces that make up the album. Vantzou describes No.5 as “11 gelatinous, dripping and fragile concoctions for voice, piano, synthesizers, strings, winds and field recordings.” She adds:

“No. 5 seeks moisture, air, walking barefoot in nature, absorbing the elements, losing track of time.

It’s a record about space and opening up space. It’s a set of ideas shaped in the oral tradition. It sends praise and care for those who wish to reshape reality.”

We’ll have to wait until November 11th for No.5 to be released through Kranky but we can already hear the magnificent and immersive first single ‘Surreal Presence (for SH and FM)’. Take a listen below and check out the visual trailer straight after.

Christina Vantzou continues her staggering series of numbered albums, exploring and melding classical, ambient, and minimalism. She has announced a new album, No.4, following 2015’s widely acclaimed No.3.
A number of musical and conceptual collaborators helped bring the album to life, including Steve Hauschildt, John Also Bennett, Angel Deradoorian, Clarice Jensen, Beatrijs De Klerck, and members of Belgium’s Echo Collective. The upcoming No. 4, and as the press release describes, “feels both endless and ephemeral, immersive and immaterial”.

Ahead of the album’s release on April 6th through Kranky, we can already hear ‘ Some Limited and Waning Memory’, an utterly beautiful track, both soothing and compelling.