The Voice Calling

For his solo work as Mind Over Mirrors, former Peeesseye member Jaime Fennelly creates (maybe "channels" is a more appropriate term) otherworldly drones utilizing distorted Indian harmonium, pulsating analog electronics, and a variety of tape effects and pedals. His music breathes and surges, feeling alive and alarmed rather than coldly generated by machines; it's not uncommon to hear the sounds of Fennelly physically manipulating his instruments during his recordings, and his live performances are engrossing and overwhelming. For his 2015 album The Voice Calling, Fennelly collaborated with Haley Fohr, a Chicago-based artist who creates experimental folk music under the name Circuit des Yeux. Her haunting, wailing vocals give Fennelly's warm, rolling drones even more of a supernatural quality, functioning as an additional instrument on extended mantras like "Regular Step on Snake River" and delivering quizzical lyrics on songs such as "Whose Turn Is Next." The stunning "Strange(r) Work" best demonstrates the duo's knack for constructing entrancing soundscapes, with shimmering arpeggios framing fiery harmonium blasts. Explosive finale "Calling Your Name" brings Fohr's voice to the forefront, along with stark, chilling piano notes and clanging metallic percussion, climaxing in a hypnotic section of startling acid rock guitar. The entire album is astonishing and exhilarating, and a welcome addition to the excellent catalogs of both artists.