Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, two of the more celebrated and beloved experimental composers in contemporary music, were put into a unique situation for Tragic Magic. The duo’s 7-song collaborative LP was created in just 9 days with producer Trevor Spencer at the Philharmonie de Paris, where rare instruments are collected. The duo was given free rein over this creative space and all of its resources, which included harps from the 1700s and Japanese analog synths from the 1980s. Two experimental giants, a super producer, and a wide-ranging selection of instruments with the ability to produce otherworldly textures; Tragic Magic is the jazzy, blissful, left-field listen with jaw-dropping ambiance that it promised to be on paper.
Neither Barwick nor Lattimore is unfamiliar with the art of collaboration, but this duo captured something special during their time together. Tragic Magic is ethereal, drenched in soaring, eerie vocals that cascade around twinkling strings and droning keys, painting stunning portraits of solitude and solace. While this is far from the most left-field LP either artist has had a hand in, this tracklist is not for the faint of heart; these two aren’t considered two of the more daring composers of their time for no reason. Their sonic risks don’t jump out of the speakers, but instead sneak out, tapping your shoulder while hiding behind the other. There is a haunting beauty to Tragic Magic that adds a layer of complexity to these seemingly unassuming tunes, forcing the listener to dig deeper to understand the full scope of musicianship between Barwick and Lattimore.
Immediately upon pressing play, the duo made it clear what we are in for. These seven songs stretch to just over forty minutes, but the way these songs hit your heart makes the time come to a halt. Tragic Magic is brimming with jazzy undertones that are only subdued by Barwick and Lattimore’s innate desire to challenge the listener. They beg the listener to remove themselves from the average hustle of everyday life, the constant and ever-changing cycle of bad news sent directly to our phones, and immerse themselves in something bigger. The spacious yet potent nature of these songs forces the listener to step outside of themselves, and the duo is here to welcome you with open arms.
Barwick and Lattimore take turns playing the lead. Moments like the quaint “The Four Sleeping Princesses” and the sweeping “Haze with No Haze” allow Lattimore’s mastery of the harp take center stage in a poetically palpable fashion. Barwick’s heavenly synth work becomes the star on “Stardust,” an early favorite from the LP. While it is interesting to hear these two play off each other in these moments, Tragic Magic is wholeheartedly a collaborative effort. Their chemistry shines brightest on songs like “Temple of the Winds” and the emotional “Rachel’s Song.”
Barwick and Lattimore entered a historic recording space and emerged with a little slice of history they can call their own. Tragic Magic is a beautifully all-encompassing piece of modern experimental music built around noticing the small things, taking the ugly in the world, and spinning it into something that touches the heart and spirit. For seven spellbinding songs, the duo encourages the listener to enter a state of zen, as their collective adventurousness not only comes together for an impressive, attention-grabbing LP but also serves as a sonic reminder to slow down every once in a while.
