Nico Muhly

With Drones, American composer Nico Muhly sets about questioning and expounding upon the nature of sound in daily life. Noise is all around us — there is no silence — and Muhly chooses to honour these ever-present, underlying life drones. This effort collects three previously issued EPs, all of which incorporate the idea of drone within their framework. Drones and Piano lays prancing key stabs overtop sheets of humming violin, while Drones and Viola and Drones and Violin unfold in a more contemplative nature, the drones taking centre stage. Added bonus piece "Drones in Large Cycles" incorporates electronics — one of the only instruments capable of achieving an infinitely long drone — and almost resembles the subdued bluster of post-rock. While other composers have commented on the inveterate nature of sound in today's world, few have done so as beautifully as Muhly has with Drones.