Kogumaza :: Kogumaza

A cursory poking around reveals kogumaza translates into ‘little dipper,’ or Ursa Minor. I guess that would be ‘little bear,’ too…Regardless, it’s a potent, mysterious sounding word. So, if we don’t know what it means exactly, or why it’s used, we know what it sounds like. A stripped down drum kit and two guitars from Nottingham, with live assistance from a gentleman behind the sound desk, are what make up Kogumaza. Creating the sound of a much bigger bear, Kogumaza is a hefty, swirling exercise in building dense tension and for much of the time, stretching it out while not resting in one place for too long. Though each side has multiple titles, Kogumaza is essentially two sides with the tracks bleeding into each other into a sonic smear that after repeated digestion reveal far more dynamics, focus and variety than initially comes across. Equal parts textural widescreen landscape and droning juggernaut, it finds the sweet spot between the two, using repetition and digression to shore up a compelling take on ‘heavy.’ In fact, for all it’s weight, Kogumaza has more in common with more ethereal tangents than it does in exploiting a show of strength. It can lull and float on an open sea before the boat gets bumped by something rising below, or it can slowly build up into a buzzing, warm enveloping squall. And it does both with just the right amount of moderation to break free of the gravity of heaviness for heaviness’ sake alone. Or drone for drone, loop for loop…It’s a deceptive record, revealing more details on repeated spins that not only elevate the music but keep it much lighter on its feet than you might initially think. Go turn on your favorite animal channel, watch a bear run and that vagary will make more sense. Kogumaza will no doubt be lumped into the obvious genres and sub-genres we all expect, but their expanse is refreshing, and inviting, in a field littered with overused and overly insular rigidity.

Swang / Concentric Spheres / Bruxist / Cosmist :: Kogumaza :: Kogumaza (2011, Low Point)