Billow Observatory : Resina

Jonas Munk and Jason Kolb, aka Billow Observatory, have continued to work on new music since last year’s full-length release The Glass Curtain. The two have just released Resina, a 26-minute EP of new, heady dark ambient pieces that run the gamut between optimistic hues of sunrise and the sleepy tones of minimalism. Both coalescing beautifully into works of dark beauty and meditative connection.

The Transatlantic duo of Billow Observatory have been making music together for 20 years, starting in 2006. Their blend of shoegaze, dream pop, ambient, and slow motion drone has evolved over the years. Their debut was a dark peek into the looking glass; shadowy tones and swirling electronics building this musical exploration into some kind of cosmic wormhole. With each following release Munk and Kolb opened the windows and doors a bit, letting sonic light into the proceedings, all the while staying true to the minimalist approach to their ambient shoegaze.

Resina sees Billow Observatory in a slightly more resonant tone. Melodies approachable from the start, while still slow moving like clouds on a summer day. “Petricho” is inescapable as an undercurrent of optimism hangs in the balance here. “Carrier” is the longest song here at nearly 7 minutes. Another steady flow of melodic intent, with cascading electronics and the feeling of discovery as sounds that have an almost ‘tip toe” quality to them give off the feel of walking through some massive hall.

Resina moves patiently along, with each piece of music giving the listener something to connect to on a deep level. From “Halfshut” and it’s short-but-sweet time to shine to “Bukhta” and it’s Berlin School leaning, we are on a music journey here. Title track “Resina” sounds like waking from some significant dream, while “In Serata” sits in white noise and distant warm tones. “Ashen Clock” closes the EP out in a haze of indifference and subtle sonics.

The duo of Monk and Kolb as Billow Observatory never puts anything out less than stellar, and Resina keeps that going. Resina resonates beautifully and mysteriously.