Any record The Necks release is a pathway to a deeply meditative experience. From the vastness of Open to the cinematic introspection of Vertigo and the constant build-up of Unfold, this act rarely (if at all) disappoints. Their latest offering, Bleed, sees them return to their most delicate strand of minimalism, patiently weaving their compositions in an attempt to uncover something beautiful and profound within.
From one standpoint Bleed feels like an exploration of space. How the 40-minute long track opens up with the subtle piano notes echoing in solitude is stunning. The trio is seemingly placed in a dark hall, unaware of their surroundings and attempting to map out its architecture through the instruments. The piano acts almost like a sonar, bouncing across the walls of this near-endless space, cartographing all its imperfections and nuances. Yet, there are many halls in Bleed, and The Necks take their time to explore all. In the second half of the record, they descend to a type of underwater domain where the playing becomes more active. In this frantic manner, the result is intriguing, taking on an almost distorted form through the lower frequency applications.
The less is more methodology works wonders once more, but while The Necks are laconic with their standard jazz practices, they offer a plethora of experimental and atmospheric settings. The generation of drones further adds to the inherent ambiance of the compositions, providing a mysterious tonality. Suddenly, the existing space transforms from an endless hall into a series of mazes, not unlike Piranesi's house. And while on one hand, this increases the pressure, adding an uneasy feeling to the proceedings, The Necks still retain a sense of serenity and balance. The drones can transform into a subtler presence, now the piano navigating through the space and the cello and drums delicately creating these abstract phantoms to help guide you through.
Hand in hand come of course the dynamics, and The Necks are just masters on the rise and fall of tension. While Bleed lacks the bigger crescendos of other works, it heavily relies on slow building. This comes only with a deep sense of patience, and The Necks take the time here, offering a few moments of heavier respite from the minimalist sea, such as halfway into the record. At times they continue to mirror post-rock applications in this creation and deconstruction of soundscapes, with the final part of the record especially digging into this territory. The quasi-electrifying timbre and the melodic piano lines resonate in that case with deep emotion and sentimentality, creating a peak for this dreamlike moment.
The journey ended and The Necks have produced another stunning work of experimental minimalism. And yet, there is something different about Bleed than the Aussie trio's previous works. There is a sense of wonder and peace that stays with you after the record has concluded, inviting you to revisit its magical essence time and time. And that is an even bigger achievement.
