With Bulgarian-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Gueorgui Linev at its helm, Kan Wakan’s repertoire has boasted suitably intricate musical compositions in the past, tactfully merging delicate electronic threads with authentic orchestral accompaniment, which draws heavily on Gueorgui Linev's more traditional instrumental expertise.
In Kan Wakan’s case, however, a Swiss Army Knife skill set of instrumental prowess has not bred the tendency to saturate every second of airtime with an exhaustive effort to exhibit it. On the contrary, the opening minutes of the sombre “I Had to Laugh” involve little more than a melancholic piano piece acting as an unobtrusive foundation for featuring vocalist Rachel Fannan’s powerful lamentations and high, honeyed harmonies becrying lost love.
As a reprieve from the suspense forged from increasingly dramatic vocal work, the philharmonic hand of Kan Wakan sweeps in around the three-minute mark to round-out the track’s profile. A chiming electronic progression renders the closing segment wistfully upbeat while a chorus of stirring brass elements serve to furnish the already emotionally loaded piece with a film score-like dramatic verve.
Kan Wakan's new triple LP, Phantasmagoria, will be available in May 2017.
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