Mysterious, unexplained sounds meld with slowly evolving, deep drones on ‘Hillingar’, the new record by New Zealand duo Winterwood. Hillingar is evocative of things unseen, of illusions, thick fog, and mirages on the distant horizon. The compositions are given time and space to unfold patiently, at times tranquil and serene, at other times brooding and foreboding. Sustained tones of resonating strings impart an organic quality to the soundscapes, while subtle unidentified noises give rise to an air of ambiguity.
Credits
Performed and recorded by Winterwood
Created with a combination of sustained strings, and processed field recordings
Mastering and layout by Timothy Allen
Cover painting by Elise Wilson
© 2024 Winterwood
REVIEWS
New from Perceptual Tapes is the six-song release from New Zealand electronic duo, Winterwood — an album that winds and twists through some unexpected soundscapes and motifs, exploring environmentally induced illusions. “Hillingar” by Winterwood is a gorgeous slow-burn that patiently explores sonic evolution through diverse textures, layer upon layers of intrigue, and experiential mysteries in sound that openly invite you for repeated listening experiences, exploring new territory with each and every spin of the album. While the album leans heavily in the experimental end of the ambient continuum, it’s a pleasant and hypnotic listening experience from the moment you press play to the very end of the album. "Hillingar" by Winterwood is available now on limited release cassettes, on most streaming music services as well as at https://perceptualtapes.bandcamp.com.
Michael Tangen
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… The third release is by Winterwood, a duo from New Zealand. The album is called Hillingar, and it is — for me, and I say this with relish — a little darker and slower than the other two. I love the noise elements, the low basses that roll in like thunder, and the hint of mechanical noises that sometimes come through.
Christian Wirrwitz