Cypriot producer Elninodiablo has developed a reputation for blending organic recordings, field recording and live instrumentation with electronic composition, and this is certainly the case on his latest album, DRK NGHT FTHSL, which was shaped by profound personal transformation and the environments in which it was made.
The album, which takes its name from ‘Dark Night Of The Soul’ (with the vowels removed) follows 13 years of writing and recording in locations including the Himalayas, Nepal, Thailand, Bali, Berlin, Brazil, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand, and certain tracks bear the hallmarks of the locations in which they were devised.
This includes the Himalayan-inspired Chasing Light Waves, Full Moon, which was developed in the jungles of Koh Phangan, and album closer Into The Great Unknown, which was conceived in Thailand, developed in Bali and Northern California, and completed in Cyprus.
The stand-out tracks for the 909originals team are probably the lo-fi lullaby, Constellations, with its soothing synths and trip-hop beats, and City Of Light, which sees wailing, distorted guitars soar over hypnotic rhythms.
“I never set out to make an album,” says Elninodiablo. “The music arrived over thirteen years, and only when I looked back did I realise it was telling a profound story.”
Elninodiablo is also known for his involvement in underground club culture through Lunchbox Candy, Infinitely Venus and The Downey Groove. His latest release reflects a shift towards a more nature-inspired creative life.
“It feels liberating,” Elninodiablo adds. “This album has been a ritual honouring my process. […] This isn’t an album for cheap thrills or dopamine hits. It draws you in and it unfolds and evolves taking you deeper with each listen.”
Musically, DRK NGHT FTHSL takes its influence from artists such as Talk Talk, Jon Hassell, Arthur Russell and Vangelis, however there are also nods to Elninodiablo’s own musical upbringing in soul, disco, new wave, post-punk, metal and electronica.
Elninodiablo’s work has received support from Four Tet, Rob da Bank and Jazzanova, and he has been remixed by Prins Thomas, Ray Mang, Justin Strauss and Emperor Machine.
Elninodiablo – DRK NGHT FTHSL is out now. Check it out here.
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