Bassist and composer Ilaria Capalbo continues her commitment to thought-provoking writing with The Brightest Sun. The album’s improvisational foundation, compositional conscientiousness and, most importantly, Capalbo’s journey into motherhood — which permeated the timeline of the album’s development —project intentionality and a specific direction. Capalbo says, “I wanted it to convey the vulnerability of a delicate and suspended time, which I remember as a landscape, at the same time fractured and soaring.” This highly visual set of metaphors enhances the impact of the music. “Arrival” showcases the best of the group’s chemistry and Capalbo’s composerly instincts. Andreas Hourdakis’ dreamy-toned electric guitar, Henrik Jäderberg’s steady, soft ride cymbal hits and the crack of his snare gradually blend with Thomas Backman’s and Fredrik Nordström’s saxophones.
“Cosmos/Earth” abruptly launches from a strolling sax melody into a thick wall of sound that ebbs and flows, playing with the grandosity of the cosmos, the earth and their relativity to one another. The rhythmic flow and bouncy melody of “Little Tigers” evokes playful innocence and also dedicates a nice space for Capalbo to shine on a bass solo. The finale title track teases intermittent melodic imbalance, but the energy of the track closes out the album with an impression fitting for new motherhood: Things can get a little messy and unpredictable sometimes, but one finds a way forward, knowing every unique moment throughout is worth it.
— Kira Grunenberg
