Take a trip to a new world where sounds come alive and time melts away.
Ship Says Om is the experimental vocal/instrumental project of Jenny Gillespie Mason.
I wondered what that band name could mean. I think it might mean to be transported through sound.
Her new EP, ‘Dream Journal’, was created over two days using an improvisational stream-of-consciousness approach, combining instruments on hand with found sounds and samples drawn from shamanic, Celtic, and global influences.
‘Just A Little Walk’ – The opening track is a calm, sub-2-minute atmospheric meditation. A clean acoustic guitar is joined by lush pads and warm, tactile sounds. The title is well chosen, because it sets the scene perfectly – this track feels like it’s taking you by the hand and leading you into a strangely unfamiliar realm.
‘Samadhi’ – The EP really comes to life with this track. A dark start, a melodic chant, and a shifting constellation of unique sounds make this an arresting and exciting experience. Surprisingly funky, it feels like everything but the kitchen sink was used in the making of this track. Crisp percussive sounds, reversed vocals, and a great riff. At times, it reminded me of 80s legends Japan. Like exploring an alien rain forest, strange life forms leap from cover in surprising explosions of sound.
‘I Still Love Us’ – Jazzy-tinged chords and fractured melodies blend together like colourful smoke. Another nice mixture of acoustic and electronic sounds – they complement each other so well and really feel like they belong together. A spoken vocal appears – just out of reach – and synth sounds become more distorted and warped. This is a wild ride, and unlike anything I’ve heard in quite a while!
‘I’m Sorry Babe’ – There’s a warm blanket covering this track, and I could feel its pulse like a gigantic sleeping beast. Chimes, pads, guitars, and mechanical chatter give the track a timbre that is a combination of metallic and organic.
‘Mother Director’ – A sparse arrangement with a pretty acoustic guitar part and a subtle vocal creates another hypnotically meditative track that is filled with guitar squeaks and tactile details. Another brilliant showcase of FX use, too. The track ends with more natural, earthy sounds.
‘Rupture ‘n Repair’ – The sound of finger cymbals is perfect here – I was magically transported to a mountaintop, ready to sit (cross-legged, obviously!) and ponder life’s unanswered questions. The reverb gives the vocal a sense of space – and it feels like our guide has joined us for this final track.
‘Dream Journal’ is an EP that is experienced rather than listened to. Get ready to be transported to another place – another dimension – and get lost in its unfamiliar dimensions.
Jenny writes that ‘Dream Journal’ is an ambient folk-influenced work,
infused with the depth and solace of a psychedelic guided-therapy playlist. I couldn’t agree more. This EP feels therapeutic – like a slow exhale for the mind, it will cleanse your mind of clutter and anxiety.
The ambient textures and inventive sound choices are all handled beautifully, and each track oozes with detail. The production is pristine, and it manages a pure warmth together with an airy spaciousness.
It all feels hand-placed and human – even as electronic sounds swirl and evolve around us.
An EP that, without words, manages to convey so much emotion and feeling.
FAVOURITE TRACK: ‘I Still Love Us’
Written by Grubby
