Grief from Grief by TANGERINECAT

"Grief" was born out of Purpurovsky's immersion in the events of the war in Ukraine, where he was born and raised. It is also the place where he and Chilton met, worked together, created tAngerinecAt, and toured extensively. For them, the war signifies a heartbreaking tragedy, with daily life revolving around the relentless stream of war news that never fully leaves their consciousness. The poetic imagery in "Grief" is abundant, inspired by Welsh nature and a remarkable painting by Turkish artist and activist Şahin Çetin, which graces the album cover. The white figure in the song adorned with owl wings embodies a presence from Annwn, the Welsh Otherworld, or represents the realm of the unconscious.

The piece opens with a dark jazz a cappella featuring Purpurovsky’s solitary, haunting, and powerful yet intimate lead vocal, which is complemented by Chilton’s transcendental vocal harmonies inspired by Eastern Orthodox monastic liturgy. The bass line is subsequently enhanced by a synth voice, culminating in a melancholic synth chord that underscores the dramatic essence of the composition.

“Grief” is a lament, a confession that rises from the very bowels of the Earth, echoing the cries of humanity, creatures, and the essence of nature itself.
“Grief” is one of the three songs in Ukrainian on the album emphasising its personal character through a language in which Purpurovsky has been composing poetry since childhood, a language that is not as dominant and widespread as English. Grief is love.

Originating in Ukraine and residing in North Wales, tAngerinecAt embodies a rich tapestry of musical influences that intertwine West and East. The duo conveys a strong anti-war, anti-fascist, and anti-ecocide message, where the hauntingly intimate allure of dark jazz a cappella coexist with the fierce energy of hammering industrial electronic beats and poignant spoken word.

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