Joshua Chuquimia Crampton's 'Anata': A Noisy Andean Sonic Meditation
In a bold exploration of sound, Aymara musician Joshua Chuquimia Crampton has unveiled his latest album, Anata, drawing direct inspiration from the traditional Andean harvest ceremony of the same name. This self-released project comprises seven dense and distorted instrumental tracks, crafted to capture the raw, unpolished energy of ceremonial music as it might be heard in a live, unfiltered setting.
Embracing Raw Sonic Textures
For fans of JCC, the album's concept is a natural progression. Known for his murky textures and amp-blasting volume, the California-based artist has built a reputation on self-released, unmastered works that prioritise authenticity over polish. His previous collaborative effort, Los Thuthanaka, with sibling Chuquimamani-Condori, featured cartoonish vocal samples and syncopated rhythms. With Anata, he returns to a solo approach, utilising guitar, bass, and select Andean instruments to create a sound that is both stripped-back and overwhelmingly noisy.
The opening track, Chakana Head-Bang!, immediately immerses listeners in a foggy drum beat that collides with feedback and jagged rock riffs. Throughout the album, noise serves as a constant anchor, intertwined with looping, hypnotic melodies. Tracks like Ch’uwanchaña ~El Golpe Final~ and Mallku Diablón offer glimpses of groove, echoing the jauntiness of Andean folk music and enhanced by the bombo italaque drum.
Pockets of Warmth Amid the Haze
Despite the ear-splitting intensity, Anata reveals moments of celestial warmth. JCC's rhythm guitar soars with richness, particularly on Convocación "Banger/Diffusion", where distortion gives way to a woozy reversed guitar loop. Even at its loudest and most scrappy, the album evokes a wistful feeling that deepens with repeated listens, supporting JCC's belief in the meditative power of loudness. As he articulated in a recent interview, the music aims not to cause pain but to facilitate transformation and healing.
Other Notable Releases This Month
In addition to Anata, several other experimental albums have emerged. The Black Hill, the Glass Sky, a compilation by Glasgow DIY label Somewhere Press, features musicians responding to a poem on Scottish folklore, offering droning soundscapes and avant folk experiments. Dutch experimentalist Truus de Groot's Unnoticed on Ransom Note blends eerie modular ditties with 80s-inspired club rhythms. Copenhagen group Rayakita debuts with a self-titled set of atmospheric compositions on Macadam Mambo, merging ambient tranquility with downtempo dance vibes for a psychedelic chill-out experience.
