Stephen O‘Malley — Spheres Collapser

Many years in the making, the original recordings for Stephen O‘Malley‘s latest solo work, Spheres Collapser, date from December 2021. Even more remarkable than the latency of this two–part composition‘s release, is the instrument that serves as both source material and structural guidepost for O‘Malley‘s minimalist pieces, Les grandes Orgues de Lausanne: a singular, Frankenstein of a pipe organ that amalgamates designs from the three previous centuries. This majestic behemoth sits like a reliquary in the Église Saint-François in Switzerland, its sound both taut and terrifying. The two compositions, “Phase I & II Organ” respectively, each fill out the side of a standard LP and represent two very different takes on the instrument, realised with organist extraordinaire, Kali Malone and sound artist Frederikke Hoffmeier (aka Puce Mary).

The organ is a de facto drone, achieving its unique sonic voice by forcing and releasing air through its expansive networks of flutes. On the first track, very little harmonic variation can be heard. Instead, we hear the instrument’s inner workings itself, resonating in a feedback loop while interludes from the higher registers of the frequency spectrum occasionally dot the landscape. In spite of its recursive structure, the composition feels as though it’s ascending, mapping the trajectory of each pipe as it goes. “Phase II” begins more ominously, with deep bass notes projected from a midrange chord that drones incessantly. Once again, the literal circles of the pipes are mimed in the rotational movement of O’Malley’s composition, grounding his work in the material specificity of the instrument itself. The concentration and tension required are spellbinding; one false move, and down the whole thing goes.

Fans of O’Malley’s various solo endeavors, as well as Sunn O))), will find the meticulous attention to sound incredibly rewarding here. For newcomers, this might be a fantastic introduction to the dark beast that grows from the roots of Terry Riley and Dylan Carlson. Highly recommended!. For more