Mana by LILI REFRAIN
Lili Refrain’s newest LP MANA lives up to its title. A combination of Anna Von Hausswolff and
Burning World-era Swans, following the words of Walter Hoeijmakers, the founder of
Roadburn Festival.
Each track is multifaceted and they all have a heft to them, a weight that translates well to Refrain’s multi-instrumentalist abilities.
Commenting on the nature of recording process Lili states: “Mana is an album totally different from anything I've ever done before. I felt the need to experiment with the use of new instruments and take a totally new path. Compared to my previous album MANA is the most ritual in some ways”.
Refrain comments onthe origin of the title saying: “It means ‘life force’, power that comes from within and is dedicated to those who have found themselves consciously facing a journey, without knowing where it would have arrived or even if it would have survived.”
Using very few guitars, Lili Refrain has not only distanced herself from her comfort zone but also created a danceable feel focusing on arrangements and vocal techniques.
However, the work on background sounds was very deliberate , as Lili notices: “Stefano Morabito, the engineer and the owner of "16th Cellar Studio" in Rome welcomed me in
his studio and had been following me throughout the production.”
“Spontaneous” is probably the best description of creating the record that became MANA.
“I felt the need to experiment.” – says Lili about the current evolutions and changes in her “inner gaze”.
Starting with Ichor , Sangoma and Mami Wata, Lili Refrain has been going down the path of rediscovering herself as an artist and performer. Combining both heavy synths sounds and operatic heights.
Pairing Taiko drum sounds of Mami Wata with her trilling and whispering, Lili Refrain manages to create a chanting and ritualistic experience.
Tracklist
| 1. | Ki | 1:24 |
| 2. | Kokyou | 4:37 |
| 3. | Eikyou | 4:39 |
| 4. | Ichor | 5:50 |
| 5. | Sangoma | 3:09 |
| 6. | Mami Wata | 4:48 |
| 7. | Ahi Tapu | 5:42 |
| 8. | Travellers | 7:40 |
| 9. | Earthling | 2:26 |
Credits
Produced by Lili Refrain and Stefano Morabito.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Stefano Morabito @ 16th Cellar Studio - Rome - Italy
Artwork by AnimaMundi (cover photo), Francesco Russo (graphics), Emanuel Montini (booklet photo)
Layout by Francesco Russo
All songs are written and performed by Lili Refrain
except the Taiko piece in Eikyou, written by the Founder and Director of Taikoza in New York, Marco Lienhard.
Lili Refrain plays: Taiko, Floor Tom, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Gong, Bells, Crotales, Jingles, Air Conditioner Metal Tube, Trowel, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Synth and Voices.
VERY SPECIAL GUESTS in Eikyou are Rita Superbi and her school Kikaijo Taiko
Released in 2022 by Subsound Records
License
All rights reserved.
Lili Refrain is a musician based in Rome-Italy. Since 2007, she has a solo project in which she uses electric guitar, vocals, percussions, synth and loops in real time, without using any computer or pre-recorded tracks. Her masterful technique and her refined taste, lead the listener through the maze of an unforgettable act beyond the boundaries of any genre. She produced 5 albums.