Into A Dark Cavern

Masma Dream World
Please Come To Me
(Valley of Search)

Masma Dream World is an experimental music project lead by Devi Mambouka. This incredible multi-instrumentalist combines a rich unique blend that cumulates to an otherworldly, transportive sound. You cannot resist the call of Masma Dream World's enchanting new album ‘Please Come to Me’, which immerses you in a deep, surreal experience. At first, I felt bewildered. However, I was quickly absorbed by the abstract composition and developed a deep appreciation for it. It wasn’t just simply just listening to the music, but participating in it, journeying through its waves and motions.

With droning waves, echoing drums and deep kicks, the opening 'Only Wish' sinks into sublime coldness, yet subtle warmth. The vocals beckoned with marvellous harmonies before 'Hells Bells' primordial harmonies, deep bassy synths and vocals, like a sizzling cricket ,create a sense of being in a deep darkness, a sense of a void and unease. The resounding sound of distorted bells in 'Pordeno Me' brings with them a sense of eeriness, like distant memories resurfacing. The gentle whispers reverberating created a sense of otherworldly presence entering in. Towards the end, rapid footsteps are heard, running towards something.

Wind chimes ringing, clanking sounds patterned like a heartbeat, conveys a sense of an earnest seeking of a presence in 'Seeking your protection', the rough recordings of the acoustic instrumentals giving an intimate sensation, like I’m a part of place, a part of a ritual. 'Please come to Me' gave me chills. It evoked a sense of meditative peace yet an intangible sense of sorrow. The skittering electronics gentle as water, reverbing, creating the atmosphere of a dark cavern. The harmonious chants, deep bassy choir, the airy, tender vocals convey a sense of yearning. Like journeying through an abyss, finding the light at the end of the tunnel.

'O, Dark Mother' is full of haunting, sustained keys. Droning electronics, the choir of harmonies, convey a strong sense of reverence and bliss, a sense of awe and a meditative peace, followed by 'Ancient DNA' , my personal favourite. The melodic vocals are enchanting, depicting a hopeful tone as if finding the light, or discovering a revelation that you’ve desperately been seeking.

'The Island where the Goddess Lives' felt like a journey through time and space. The vocals were blissful. The sustained wind chimes, the distant echoey, muffled voices and chatter illustrate a distant memory being recalled, gave a sense of introspection, loss, clarity and tranquillity. I loved the sombre harmonies of the vocals chanting in the following 'What if it Was True' . The distortion, the mesh of different voices, different languages, evoked a feeling of being lost in a dream and attempting to piece it all together, evoking a feeling of an unravelling, a sudden discovery. The next 'The Last Poet' is a mist of mystery, starting off with lush melodies, shifting with tender chants to deep melodies like a voice beckoning from the deep. This track was full of atmosphere. The closing 'Without a Body' offers a floaty sense of otherworldliness, the clattering melodies creating a sense of the primal. The airy, racing vocal chants evoking an ethereal quality like a choir of spirits calling to you.

This album took me on a journey. An extremely fascinating and enjoyable journey. Its experimental nature lulls you away into a mystical plane of the unseen. Mambouka’s crafty composition is unique and truly remarkable. This is great for anyone who loves steady, ambient, mediative music with an allure of darkness.

Read Jonathan Thornton's exclusive interview with Devi Mambouka for Outsideleft here.

Main image: Album cover