Amaya Laucirica 'Rituals'
Melbourne musician Amaya Laucirica has released her 4th album 'Rituals', via UK imprint Opposite Number.
Amaya’s work blends swirling contours with wistful melodies and lush, sonic depth. Within this rich palette of sound resides Amaya’s uniquely captivating voice, restrained yet beautiful, with rich breathy tones offering touching moments of yearning and lament. The band features members of The Devastations and Lowtide.
The first single from the album, "More Than This", was Lauren Laverne's headphone moment on BBC 6 Music this week. The lush video for the track was premiered via Gold Flake Paint, who wrote; "'More Than This' is a brooding, wonderfully compelling swirl of colour and charisma, the track drifting (pertinently, never forgettably) through six-and-a-half captivating minutes, while the video’s main star, dancer Ogemdi Ude, throws all manner of considered shapes alongside, beautiful and engaging in equal measure."
Follow up single “All Of Our Time” was posted by The Line Of Best Fit, who wrote; "Reminiscent of the whimsical melodies of The Go-Betweens and harmonious soundscapes of Cocteau Twins, “All Of Our Time” is the work of seasoned artist Amaya Laucirica, someone who is still perfecting their sound four albums in."
Amaya began work on Rituals in 2015 while residing in Berlin. During this period, she also spent time performing live in Berlin and completed a solo tour of venues throughout Spain. She returned to Australia in 2016, where she formed the band behind Rituals, featuring Andrew Keese (a singer/songwriter and composer in his own right, on guitar), Hugo Cran (from Beggars Banquet alumnus The Devastations on drums) and Giles Fielke (previously of Lowtide on bass). The record was produced by John Lee at Phaedra Studios and mastered by David Walker at Stepford Mastering.
Rituals is Amaya’s fourth album and it follows on from her critically acclaimed 2008 debut Sugar Lights, 2010’s Early Summer (which was selected by Australia’s premier national youth radio broadcaster JJJ as their “Album of the Week” and saw Amaya supporting acts such as Blonde Redhead and Mark Lanegan) and 2014’s Sway. Rituals is a personal and intimate album dealing with themes of time, frustration, acceptance, loss and love. Musically, it is a richly complex and layered album that, although intricate and sometimes dense, also contains sparse moments of quiet transcendence and space. Rituals marks a major artistic statement and is the perfect demonstration of her talent for her first international release.
The album will also be supported by a UK tour including dates to be announced in England, Scotland and Ireland.
