Leila Abdul-Rauf (Vastum) Shares New Singles from Upcoming New Solo Album

The immensely talented Bay Area artist Leila Abdul-Rauf ( Vastum, Ionophore, Cardinal Wyrm, Fyrhtu) will release her fourth full-length solo album, Phantasiai, in July through Cyclic Law, with a vinyl release to follow in September as a co-release with Cloister Recordings. The cover art, track listing, preorders, and two amazing new two tracks from the album are now revealed! Listen to “Distortions In Phantasy I: Lure” and “Distortions In Phantasy III: Suspension” now!

<a href="https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/phantasiai">Phantasiai by LEILA ABDUL-RAUF</a>

She offers of the new solo opus, “In Hellenistic philosophy, phantasiai are our impressions, the ways in which the world is represented through our senses, preceding actual thoughts. This is where music-making lies for me: in the space between senses and thoughts, having the power to express where words fall short. What I believe to be the coldest and most sinister album I’ve released under my name to date, Phantasiai is comprised of two suites, each containing four movements, composed almost entirely from modulated live trumpet, glockenspiel, and vocal performances.”

She continues, “I encourage listeners to create their own stories about Phantasiai, but here is my own. The first suite, ‘Distortions In Phantasy,’ describes a character being seduced and consumed by a powerfully addictive phantasy, one so destructive, the body, mind and spirit are annihilated beyond recognition. As the album moves between tracks I through IV, listeners may experience a gradual sensation of seeking deeper into an abyss. In the second suite, ‘The I Emerges,’ the character experiences a renewal in which what little is left of the former self is vaporized through a crucible of sorts, then re-organized into a new physical and spiritual existence. The pain of the loss experienced by the former self is gone, but adjusting to the new self is an uncomfortable and disorienting experience, with reality perpetually coming into question.”

Fully composed, recorded, and produced by Leila Abdul-Rauf, Phantasiai was mastered by Cyclic Law, the stunning cover artwork was created by Matthew Jaffe, and graphic design was handled by Heresie Studio.

Cyclic Law will release Phantasiai on CD and digitally on July 16th, with the LP to follow as a co-release with Cloister Recordings in September. Find preorders at Bandcamp and the label webshop as well.

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/phantasiai

https://www.cycliclaw.com/music/leila-abdul-rauf-phantasiai-cdlp-170th-cycle