Jóhann Jóhannsson

March 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Original image of the curtain call of UMKC Conservatory’s Così fan tutte by There Stands the Glass.

Top Ten Albums (Released in March)

1. Rosalía- Motomami

Unparalleled pop.

2. Jóhann Jóhannsson- Drone Mass

Lethal minimalism.

3. Nigo- I Know Nigo!

Elite rappers (and Kid Cudi) collaborate with the polymath.

4. Brad Mehldau- Jacob's Ladder

My review.

5. Benny the Butcher- Tana Talk 4

Buffalo barbarity.

6. Drug Church- Hygiene

Unclean.

7. François-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles- Claude Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande

A ravishing rendition of the mesmirizing opera.

8. Sélène Saint-Aimé- Potomitan

Expansive jazz from France.

9. Destroyer- ​​Labyrinthitis

A not entirely embarrassing form of yacht rock.

10. Cécile McLorin Salvant- Ghost Song

Spectral art music.


Top Ten Songs (Released in March)

1. Kae Tempest and Lianne La Havas- "No Prizes"

Gold.

2. Celeste- “To Love a Man”

Torched.

3. Fana Hues- "Bad Bad"

Wicked good.

4. Normani- "Fair"

Un-break my heart.

5. The Supremes- “Witchi-Tai-To”

Wut.

6. Your Old Droog- “Fela Kruti”

“Music for people who check their email in the club.”

7. Ibibio Sound Machine- “17 18 19”

Rock down to electric avenue.

8. Lous and the Yakuza- “Kisé”

Mosh pit? Mosh pit!

9. Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lupa- “Sweetest Pie”

Irresistible empty calories.

10. Ho9909 featuring Bun B- "Slo Bread"

Inspired collaboration.

Top Ten Performances of March

1. Sparks- Crystal Ballroom

My review.

2. Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Roseland Theater

My review.

3. UMKC Conservatory’s Così fan tutte- White Recital Hall

My Instagram snapshot.

4. Ted Poor and Cuong Vu- Jack London Revue

My review.

5. Steve Cardenas- recordBar

My review.

6. Arnold Young and the RoughTet- The Ship

My review.

7. Vanessa Rubin- Lincoln Hall

My review.

8. Timber Rattle- 9th & State

My review.

9. Angela Ward Trio- Blue Room

Herbie Hancock endorsed my Instagram video.

10. Pat Metheny in Kansas City: The Genesis of Genius- Polsky Theatre

My review.



Last month’s survey is here.

Album Review: Jóhann Jóhannsson- Blind Massage and The Shadow Play

I swapped music recommendations with two young men I met at Mary Lattimore’s wondrous recital at the Lied Center seven weeks ago.  Their tastes leaned toward abrasive underground electronica.  They probably share my appreciation for Iceboy Violet’s stunning new mixtape.  

After eagerly adding their suggestions to my queue, I tipped them to Jóhann Jóhannsson, the late Icelandic composer who has provided me with countless hours of inspiration.  Jóhannsson’s expansive catalog grew 70 minutes longer last week when a pair of original motion picture soundtracks he created with Jonas Colstrup for Chinese films became available on streaming services.

Jóhannsson’s contribution to the 2014 film Blind Massage (推拿) falls somewhere between the indolent ambience of Harold Budd and the melodic brilliance of Nino Rota on tracks including  "If There Is an Afterlife".  The ominously abrasive "Midnight Highway" typifies the sound of the very different score for 2018’s The Shadow Play (风中有朵雨做的云).

Given the infrequency of concerts by prominent new music artists in the region, I don’t expect to see my acquaintances until William Basinsky performs in Lawrence in October.  My cultish adoration of the composer won’t be diminished even if they’ve opted to dismiss Jóhannsson as a soporific shill.