Listen to the Ethereal Trip-Hop, Electronica, and Darkwave of Milan-based Duo Pinhdar’s New Album “A Sparkle on the Dark Water”

The race of a crazy horse,

the screams from the last trees

on Earth

PINHDAR has set a new standard in ethereal electronica, infusing it with a rare human touch. Drawing inspiration from Pindar, the ancient Greek poet known for his explorations of parallel universes, the Milan-based duo was founded in 2019 by Cecilia Miradoli and Max Tarenzi. Their sound is rich with velvety echoes reminiscent of The Cure and early 4AD, blending the dreamy allure of dream pop with warm electronic elements, steering clear of any traces of cold detachment.

What sets PINHDAR apart is the exceptional quality of their songs. Their work nods to the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead, Beach House, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and Circuit des Yeux, creating a sound that is both familiar and uniquely enchanting.

Their latest album, A Sparkle On The Dark Water (Fruits de Mer Records), is a stunning collection of honey-sweet, dreamy tracks that delve into the essence of human existence. The songs reflect on our place in the world, explore spiritual themes, and caution against the dangers humanity has wrought upon the planet. Each track resonates with a profound sense of introspection and urgency, painting a vivid picture of our collective journey.

In The Woods dives into the complexities of difficult interpersonal relationships, leaving behind a lingering sense of loneliness and emptiness. It’s about the hope of finding a common ground, a meeting point, even if only in the realm of dreams. The poignant Cold River captures the irony of life and its unpredictable twists. It warns against staying defenseless amidst these changes, likening it to being overwhelmed and sinking like a stone at the bottom of a frozen river. Next, we are all travelers through space and time, but this track reminds us that we all eventually return to that one place each of us calls Home.

Little Light uses metaphor to explore a personal relationship where one person stumbles through the darkness, guided only by the light they receive from the other. It’s about finding direction and sensitivity through someone else’s presence.

Murderers Of A Dying God  is a hard-hitting song that channels the scream of planet Earth, condemning the arrogance of humanity as it brings about destruction. It paints a bleak picture for other living beings, highlighting a world with no sanctuary, only cages, sorrow, and death.

Taking a more forgiving look at our nature, Humans reveals that, in the end, we’re just humans who’ve gone too far in the name of some god, not realizing we too shall fade away like flowers.

Inspired by Inio Asano’s seinen manga, Solanin captures the stark reality and dystopia of a big city, highlighting its cruelty and loneliness. It paints a picture of inhabitants as raindrops in a storm, lost and isolated amidst the chaos.

Imagine a world caught in perpetual frost, where time stands still and echoes of voices and colors from a long-lost past still whisper. Frozen Roses captures the essence of young lives trapped without a clear future, like roses frozen in ice, their fragrance forever locked in an uncertain destiny.

In the haunting Abysses, we ponder if every dark thought and every wound we inflict on one another could be healed by exchanging souls, even for just a single day. It’s a contemplation on the depths of empathy and the transformative power of truly understanding another’s pain.

Finally, At The Gates Of Dawn is a poignant tribute to a departed friend, a call to those who are no longer with us. It seeks to exorcise the lingering sense of absence, transforming it into a meditation on the profound meaning of life, and the echoes of those we’ve lost that continue to shape our existence.

A Sparkle On The Dark Water is out now. Order here

In 2020, amidst the global lockdown, PINHDAR recorded their first album, Parallel. The legendary Howie B contributed remotely to its production, and in 2021, it found its home with the English label Fruits de Mer Records. Their journey continued with tours across Italy and Europe, accompanied by drummer Alessandro Baris.

By the summer of 2023, PINHDAR paused in Bristol to complete recordings for their new album at Riverside Studio in Bath. Collaborating intensely with Bruno Ellingham, known for his work with Massive Attack, Unkle, Portishead, Everything But the Girl, and New Order, they forged a powerful creative partnership.

During this period, James Johnston—painter and musician, founder of Gallon Drunk, and collaborator with Nick Cave and PJ Harvey—graciously provided the image of one of his paintings, Lake House, for the cover of A Sparkle on the Dark Water.

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