Dracones

Hma Utku returns to Editions Mego with her new album. The title Dracones makes reference to the mediaeval latin term “Hic sunt dracones” (Here be dragons), marking the unexplored, dangerous places on world maps, expressing the fear of chaos, the unexpected and the unknown.

This new work by the Istanbul sound artist is a sonic journal of an expedition into uncharted territory, one which occupies self and domesticity. Inspired by Utkus experience of matrescence, Dracones explores the themes of familial demonology, metamorphosis and homecoming as well as human relationship to the experience of love woven layers of euphoria, alienation and consumption.

Musically, Dracones traverses a wide array of sonic tools whereby industrial sounds are imbedded with certain psychological angles, this is an album where, all matter meshes into a sly snapshot of the human experience with a tension and release exposure occurring frequently with dark corners opening up to bright layers of electronic experimentation.

The haunting opening track A World Between Worlds tackles pregnancy, of which Utku was experiencing when making this record. The emotional, physical, spiritual and mental experience of this journey is all documented here.. This track features the Lyraei, an electromagnetic string instrument and modern interpretation of the ancient lyre, that was built and played by Mihalis Shammas. Comfort of The Shadows moves from within to without, what was once hidden is now exposed. Utkus ability to conjure the visual in the sonic is at the forefront as howling electronics give a distinct impression of movement. A Familial Curse presents a desire to break the cycle of generational trauma with a creeping sense of dread that rolls into an industrial rhythm prior to landing in a beautiful place represented with shimmering guitar tones. Here be Dragons is a rich and dark evocation, a spooked surrender to the themes of the record whereby Utkus wildly distorted voice beckons all manner of phantasmagoria over cello and recordings of her ultrasound. Care in Consume engages in further sonic exploration as a means of conjuring matriphagy, with its unique psychic energy coursing through electronic veins. A House within a House could also be read as a body within a body as the pulse of ultrasound audio rattle amongst a cage of thudding rhythms and swirling electronics, one also ending in optimism as an exquisite melody is born from the prior fire. The striking journey ends with the more soothing Ayaza, a track embracing love and all the hardships that a period of fundamental metamorphosis brings, this is a heartfelt dedication to her son and concludes an album draped in life, experience, joy and pain.

Dracones is a deeply visual journey through inner and outer worlds, a space where symbolic evocation is supreme and passive listening is not an option.

All tracks composed,performed and recorded by Hma Utku
Buchla 100, vocals, cello, electric guitar performed by Hma Utku
A World Between Worlds features the Lyraei built, played and recorded by Mihalis Shammas
Buchla 100 recorded in EMS Stockholm 2022-2023

Mixed by Enyang Urbiks
Mastered by Heba Kadry, NYC
Cover Artwork by Marco Ciceri
Design by Tina Frank