Racing the Storm

by Emiliana Torrini

Overview

Emiliana Torrini and the Colorist Orchestra first paired up in the mid-2010s for a series of concerts that adapted highlights from the Icelandic singer's catalog into strange chamber pop vignettes of almost puckish sophistication. The collaboration yielded a 2016 live album padded with two new original cuts that serve as a precursor to this, their first studio album together. Released by Bella Union, Racing the Storm is also Torrini's first album of new material in a decade. As a creative foil, she could do a lot worse than this inventive Belgian ensemble led by multi-instrumentalists Aarich Jespers and Kobe Proesmans. If any lingering Nordic frost still clings to her artful music, it is warmed by their quirky rhythm-forward style of orchestrated lounge pop. A smoky nightclub feel launches the set, as Torrini purrs over marimbas and jazzy guitars on "Mikos." Two songs later, standout "Hilton" takes an entirely different route, relying on a humid electro-worldbeat groove that is uplifting and deeply satisfying. While it would have been easy to settle firmly into retro cocktail mode, Torrini and her collaborators wisely mix things up, combining the electronic flourishes of her solo music with a range of interesting elements, from sweeping string sections to Latin percussion and eerie effects. "The Illusion Curse" is another enchanting track that defies expectations, moving between cinematic grandeur and growling menace. Best known for adapting previously recorded work, the Colorist Orchestra prove they can also build from the ground up. For Torrini, Racing the Storm is a potent return with quality songwriting that nods to her past, but introduces a new element that suits her quite well. ~ Timothy Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	03/17/2023
Label:	BELLA UNION
UPC:	5400863091750

Tracks

1. Mikos
2. You Left Me in Bloom
3. Hilton
4. Dove
5. Wedding Song
6. Right Here
7. Smoke Trails
8. A Scene From a Movie
9. The Illusion Curse
10. Racing the Storm
11. Lonesome Fears

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Emiliana Torrini   Primary Artist,Vocals,Beat Box
Howe Gelb   Piano
Aarich Jespers   Bass,Juno,MIDI,Toms,Flute,Piano,Guitar,Kalimba,Marimba,Strings,Clavinet,Sampling,Harmonium,Marimbula,Orchestra,Roto Toms,Percussion,Rhythm Box,Vibraphone,Synthesizer,Prepared Piano,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Nylon String)
Karel Coninx   Viola,Orchestra
Carlo Mertens   Trombone
Tom Vanstiphout   Guitar (Nylon String)
Joris Caluwaerts   Autoharp
Kobe Proesmans   Toms,Drums,Congas,Shaker,Marimba,Timpani,Sampling,Orchestra,Percussion,Synthesizer,Handclapping,Drums (Snare),Prepared Piano,Vocals (Background)
Jeroen Baert   Violin,Orchestra
Tim Vandenbergh   Orchestra,Double Bass,Synthesizer,Bass (Electric)
Rozanne Descheemaeker   Horn
Wim De Busser   Piano,Orchestra
Gerrit Valckenaers   Clarinet,Orchestra,Percussion,Synthesizer,Clarinet (Bass)
Seraphine Stragier   Cello
Sep Francois   Marimba,Orchestra,Vibraphone,Glockenspiel
Sigtryggur Baldursson   Percussion
Filip Wouters   Tres

Technical Credits

Jo Francken   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Marketa Irglova   Composer
Matt Watts   Composer
Emiliana Torrini   Composer
Aarich Jespers   Composer,Engineer,Sequencers,Field Recording
Joris Caluwaerts   Engineer
Kobe Proesmans   Composer,Engineer
Jeroen Baert   Engineer
Wouter Van Veldhoven   Loop
Ian Kellett   Composer
Simon Byrt   Composer
Tim Vandenbergh   Composer,Engineer
Wim De Busser   Composer
Mio Djorisson   Engineer
Gerrit Valckenaers   Composer
Tamino-Amir Moharam Fouad   Composer
Athos Burez   Photography
The Colorist Orchestra   Engineer,Producer
Dave Kutch   Mastering
Jespers and Jespers   Artwork
Dree Jespers   Photography