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AMN Reviews

AMN Reviews: Between Voices – Phantom Pinnacles (2024; Cyclic Law)

Harlow MacFarlane, a versatile artist known for recording under multiple aliases, has dedicated a significant portion of his creative output to the project Funerary Call. But in this particular endeavor, MacFarlane adopts the pseudonym Between Voices, embarking on a 35-minute auditory journey that traverses realms of ambient soundscapes. In doing so, he presents an intriguing collection of drones that resonate with a raw intensity, straddling the line between the abrasive and the ethereal, complemented by a haunting organ-based timbre lurking in the background.

The sound palette is further enriched by the incorporation of understated vocalizations that seem to emerge and recede into the sonic tapestry. Additional accompaniment is provided by analog noises, which may have origins in field recordings. The resultant effect is one of pervasive disquiet.

MacFarlane’s manipulation of pitches is particularly noteworthy. He carefully adjusts frequencies to introduce an underlying tension, a dissonance that suggests all is not as it seems. This careful calibration ensures that even during those phases of the track where the harmonies are inherently lighter and more open, there remains a lingering sense of unease – a feeling that something is amiss in a peaceful-seeming soundscape.