Alia / Where the Echoes Bloom / Leaving Records

“Where The Echoes Bloom” is the debut solo work of L.A. based artist, Alia. A 9-track collection of electronic exotica, that showcases her virtuosity on theremin and kacapi, a Javanese zither. With assistance from percussionist Jamal Mohamed, she sets about creating the soundtrack for an alien tropics. “Crescent Sun” moves to a slow, sleek beat. The results in orbit with Water Melon’s Bond theme parody, “Moon Shaker”. “Jogja” incorporates field recordings, croaking frogs, songbirds, slo-mo gamelan gongs and what sounds like zen garden water features – but are actually water drops from Alia’s bathtub. “Aquamarine” has the theremin pay homage to Hawaiian guitar. Hitting like Clara Rockmore meets the score of “South Pacific”. A soothing, sunstroked lullaby with 60s easy-listening harmonies and Frank Comstock-esque Sci-Fi sound effects. Shooting stars and spinning UFOs. The super laidback “Intimate” could almost be an outtake from The Gentle People’s “Soundtracks For Living”. Sex kittens…