This is a trilogy of experimental modern classical works by UK based Polish musician Wojciech Rusin. Beginning with his studio debut The Funnel, followed by Syphon and Honey For The Ants. Collectively called an alchemical trilogy, these three albums are constructed from his compositions with singers, instrumentalists, electronic manipulation and his signature 3D printed reed instruments.

All three records are experimental through and through. Firstly there’s the actual experimentation inherent in the creation of his 3d printed instruments many of which are hybridized or mutated from existing modern and historical designs. Then there’s the studio experimentation present in the production, the electronic reconstruction of the vocals and instrumentation, some textural synth work and some creative mixing as well. Lastly they’re conceptually imaginative records that aren’t afraid to take compositional risks.

I find the first one particularly medieval and deconstructed, with the second and third becoming progressively more modern and ambitious as they move through pieces of renaissance and romantic sounds. All three records are somehow futuristic AND primitive throughout their exploration of these themes. This gives them a feeling of traditional cultural music from a time and place that never really existed.

The diversity in the pallet of sounds and the way it comes together so well is astounding and makes for a really engaging listen. The blend of field recordings, electronic/acoustic/hybrid instrumentation, thoughtful choral work and creative editing is both thoughtful and very satisfying. All the elements have room to breathe and are anchored in good phonetic composition that makes full use of the potency of the sounds at play.

I know that thematically these albums draw their inspiration from spirituality, historical music and esoteric gnostic texts. But to me these records feel almost Shakespearean in how they possess a timeless drama that’s both human and fantastical. You can hear the hyperreality of this music, where the source of the sounds and ideas are deeply important but also completely lost to the blending and creating of a new world of sounds beyond the signifiers of its inspirations. Long story short- everyone’s heard music like this but no one’s heard this music before, and fans of the experimental and beautiful will love these three records.