Black Fly shares debut album via Samedi Records (altopalo); “cinematic” (Consequence)

April 24 2021

Black Fly, aka enigmatic Vermont-based musician and visual artist Joseph Rittling, today offers his fully entrancing, singular debut album Black Fly 01 via Samedi Records (altopalo)Listen to the world-building, lively synth and booming vocal accomplishment HERE and watch the chaotic yet mesmerizing video for “Sign 2” HERE.

As Black Fly, Rittling has made fans at Fader, Consequence, The Line Of Best Fit, The Most Radicalist and more. He is an expert at creating deeply felt, cinematic pieces of music inspired by the sprawling landscapes that surrounds him. Sufjan Stevens, Future Islands, Floating Points, Jon Hopkins come to mind as (loose) contemporaries; artists who create entire universes. As a lover of film himself, Rittling creates striking accompanying visuals that dissect the most potent aspects of what a moving image can do; in its simplest form, film sows you a moment unwoven and expanded, from a single but shared perspective. 

Of the album, Rittling says, “Some songs are personal, some in character, but all are afflicted by that same compounding weight of confusion and angst. It’s not easy-listening music, but it’s also not meant to be joyless. I love melody, and through that have hopefully given the listener some elation to hold on to. If there is a message behind record, it’s that: finding and appreciating beauty amongst uncertainty.”

Both of the lonely, glowing cuts Rittling created for previous singles “Kingdom“and “Sadsap“create an alternate universe while simultaneously grounding us to the possibilities that are within reach in our own. That feeling is acutely reflected in the dark, pulsing synths layered up against an optimistic, joyful trumpet line. It’s not often you’ll hear horns used in electronic music this way, but it offers calm amidst a rumbling, brooding storm.

Black Fly 01 is out now via Samedi Records, listen & buy here.

TRACKLISTING:
Dipped
Sign 2
Sadsap
Kingdom
Green
No Fool
Cabbage
My Room
Z’s Ocean
Wait

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