Perspective

( ) worked with Grammy-winning Chicago-based ensemble on a performance piece titled Perspectives, demonstrating how her knotty, ever-evolving rhythms translate to organic instrumentation. released their recordings of the pieces as part of their album (which also included and compositions), and 's work was named as a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Music. Appearing two years after issued a EP centered around her original electronic version of track "Embryo," the 2023 EP contains the remaining six (with the four tracks included on the CD edition). Similar to 's score for choreographer 's dance piece , displays how her music has evolved from its roots in club culture to the realm of contemporary composition, retaining such a distinctive sound that the boundaries crumble. Opening track "Paradigm" builds waves of intricate polyrhythms around levitating percussion patterns, tricking the listener's ears with momentary four-to-the-floor kick drums, then finally settling into a trap-like lurch as shakers and bird calls swoop around. "Fourth Perspective" continues to build from more atmospheric elements, while "Obscure" and "Derivative" are buzzy and aggressive. "Dissonance" consists entirely of interlocked drums, sounding somewhat like a hybrid of tabla rhythms and marching band cadences, but ultimately forging a path as a new form. The gorgeous "Duality" is driven by rippling mallet percussion and chimes, bringing to mind the arrangements of 's more post-minimalist work. There's a lightness and optimism to the piece that just feels inspiring and refreshing. ~ Paul Simpson