Merope’s roots lie deep in the soil of Lithuanian folk songs, connecting them with ideas
from across the cultural map.
Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė's kanklės and singing are the foundatio of their celestial folk reinterpretations, joined by ornate, experimental guitar and electronic from Belgian multi-instrumentalist Bert Cools, creating an intimate soundscape and guidin the duo towards the unknown. Diving into ancestral words and melodies, they present contemporary vision of ancient Baltic music. Tangling elements gleaned from jazz traditional, ambient music, 20th century minimalism and kosmische into their moving, humanist compositions, they provide a soundtrack for today's international landscape.
There's a sense of spontaneity and playfulness hanging in the air around Merope's fifth
album (out 5 Nov on Stroom) that's palpable from the very beginning.
The duo of Lithuanian singer and kanklės player Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė and guitarist/producer Bert
Cools, Merope are kissed by the winds of change on 'Vėjula', a self-styled musical rebirth
that confidently fosters their ongoing narrative. It's their most experimental full-length to
date, spreading its arms to embrace collaborations with like-minded artists Shahzad
Ismaily, Laraaji and Bill Frisell. And while 'Vėjula' still roots itself in Lithuanian folk forms, it
sprouts out spiritedly from that point into unfamiliar landscapes, muddling ancient themes
with contemporary philosophies, concepts and technologies.
‘It’s glowing, ethereal music; gossamer-fine, but swirling with emotional heft.’
The Wire, UK
‘Connecting lines instead of vanishing points - between ambient, chattering rhythms, voices interweaving and a form of folklore that is open on all sides. In short, it is an outstanding album. Friendly, humble, but undoubtedly visionary.’
HHV mag, Germany
‘Artists like Merope show us how to transform tradition in a modern laboratory of thought.
Salos envelops us with spring lightness, and here and there it covers us with intimate momentum.'
'Mystery and folk flow into the ocean of modern times.'
Nowamuzyka, Poland
"Album that is as delicate as it is deep: something very special indeed." Songlines, UK
"Naktės is a magnificent album, without fuss, without bowing to commerce. A very honest, warm and most of all heartwarming registration of what the trio can bring about. Consciousness-expanding music that has a lot from folk, but also with unworldly jazz and especially with adventure and freedom." P. De Cleen for Written in music, Belgium, The Netherlands
"Mystery and folk flow into the ocean of modern times - filled with ambient music, spiritualized jazz, improvisation or broadly defined electronics." Nowamuzyka, Poland
"A minimalistic folk variation reminiscent of some Björk compositions; Sounds partly like from another world, yet does not lose track of the Lithuanian folk melodies. Music for quiet hours." Global music magazine, Germany
"Merope stretches where traditionalists narrow. With devotion and wisdom 'Naktės' is a homage to the night that unites us all." Amusio, Germany
"Sound research is linked to the connections between man and nature, so the approach is meditative, but far from the clichés of the new age." Musicmap, Italy
"The mixture of acoustic and electronic sounds is perfect in balance. The beauty and virtuosity embrace each other gently. The songs consist of layered melodies, which make a warm flood whose direction can change any moment. ‘Amaranthine’ is an album to feel relaxed with. " Gonzo, The Netherlands, Belgium
"Adding the sparkle of electronic details makes it different from the most world music bands sounds. It gives the music a luminous aura. " Rif Raf, Belgium
"The music unfolds unhurriedly, as if mimicking the spreading out of leaves and flowers, and life without anxiety or rush.
When these artists come together, a free improvisation, active listening and subtle intervention into the musical ‘whole’ becomes their most organic way of functioning. " Lithuanian Music Link
"Merope brings music where it is wonderful to get lost in. When the voice is there, she knows - like the music - how to enchant. We are fans! " Damusic, Belgium
from across the cultural map.
Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė's kanklės and singing are the foundatio of their celestial folk reinterpretations, joined by ornate, experimental guitar and electronic from Belgian multi-instrumentalist Bert Cools, creating an intimate soundscape and guidin the duo towards the unknown. Diving into ancestral words and melodies, they present contemporary vision of ancient Baltic music. Tangling elements gleaned from jazz traditional, ambient music, 20th century minimalism and kosmische into their moving, humanist compositions, they provide a soundtrack for today's international landscape.
There's a sense of spontaneity and playfulness hanging in the air around Merope's fifth
album (out 5 Nov on Stroom) that's palpable from the very beginning.
The duo of Lithuanian singer and kanklės player Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė and guitarist/producer Bert
Cools, Merope are kissed by the winds of change on 'Vėjula', a self-styled musical rebirth
that confidently fosters their ongoing narrative. It's their most experimental full-length to
date, spreading its arms to embrace collaborations with like-minded artists Shahzad
Ismaily, Laraaji and Bill Frisell. And while 'Vėjula' still roots itself in Lithuanian folk forms, it
sprouts out spiritedly from that point into unfamiliar landscapes, muddling ancient themes
with contemporary philosophies, concepts and technologies.
‘It’s glowing, ethereal music; gossamer-fine, but swirling with emotional heft.’
The Wire, UK
‘Connecting lines instead of vanishing points - between ambient, chattering rhythms, voices interweaving and a form of folklore that is open on all sides. In short, it is an outstanding album. Friendly, humble, but undoubtedly visionary.’
HHV mag, Germany
‘Artists like Merope show us how to transform tradition in a modern laboratory of thought.
Salos envelops us with spring lightness, and here and there it covers us with intimate momentum.'
'Mystery and folk flow into the ocean of modern times.'
Nowamuzyka, Poland
"Album that is as delicate as it is deep: something very special indeed." Songlines, UK
"Naktės is a magnificent album, without fuss, without bowing to commerce. A very honest, warm and most of all heartwarming registration of what the trio can bring about. Consciousness-expanding music that has a lot from folk, but also with unworldly jazz and especially with adventure and freedom." P. De Cleen for Written in music, Belgium, The Netherlands
"Mystery and folk flow into the ocean of modern times - filled with ambient music, spiritualized jazz, improvisation or broadly defined electronics." Nowamuzyka, Poland
"A minimalistic folk variation reminiscent of some Björk compositions; Sounds partly like from another world, yet does not lose track of the Lithuanian folk melodies. Music for quiet hours." Global music magazine, Germany
"Merope stretches where traditionalists narrow. With devotion and wisdom 'Naktės' is a homage to the night that unites us all." Amusio, Germany
"Sound research is linked to the connections between man and nature, so the approach is meditative, but far from the clichés of the new age." Musicmap, Italy
"The mixture of acoustic and electronic sounds is perfect in balance. The beauty and virtuosity embrace each other gently. The songs consist of layered melodies, which make a warm flood whose direction can change any moment. ‘Amaranthine’ is an album to feel relaxed with. " Gonzo, The Netherlands, Belgium
"Adding the sparkle of electronic details makes it different from the most world music bands sounds. It gives the music a luminous aura. " Rif Raf, Belgium
"The music unfolds unhurriedly, as if mimicking the spreading out of leaves and flowers, and life without anxiety or rush.
When these artists come together, a free improvisation, active listening and subtle intervention into the musical ‘whole’ becomes their most organic way of functioning. " Lithuanian Music Link
"Merope brings music where it is wonderful to get lost in. When the voice is there, she knows - like the music - how to enchant. We are fans! " Damusic, Belgium
