Goodbye, Hotel Arkada

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Plucked, strummed or droned, harp tones can transport the listener, marking the passing of time and a perceived ability to travel through it. This otherworldliness also makes them naturally imagistic and the perfect vehicle for slow, reflective ambient creations. American harpist Mary Lattimore combines gossamer textures and echoes on Goodbye Hotel Arkada, recorded over two years and based around a composition that rues the coming renovation of a favorite Croatian hotel.  These six majestic explorations are meant, as Lattimore explains, to evoke a complex mélange of images and impressions: "fading flowers in vases, melted candles, getting older, being on tour and having things change while you're away, not realizing how ephemeral experiences are until they don't happen anymore, fear for a planet we're losing because of greed, an ode to art and music that's really shaped your life that can transport you back in time, longing to maintain sensitivity and to not sink into hollow despondency."

Aided by an admirable guest list, Lattimore creates multi-layered music that avoids being too precious or phantasmic while still suggesting her desired wishes, scenes and much more. The opening track, "And Then He Wrapped His Wings Around Me" adds another completely unique instrumental voice in accordionist Walt McClements and wordless vocals from singer-songwriter (and friend) Meg Baird. The Cure's original drummer Lol Tolhurst adds surging synth backgrounds to "Arrivederci" where Lattimore's harp twinkles like a toy piano. "Blender in a Blender" is another instrumental collaboration, this time with avant-garde New Zealand composer and guitar player Roy Montgomery, who surges his guitar into the composition's dramatic finale. In a lighter mood, the plucked notes and synth traces of "Horses, Glossy on the Hill," are paced by clacking that resembles horse hooves. Slowdive's Rachel Goswell adds lyric-less vocal incantations to "Yesterday's Parties" which glides this collection of celestial tones meant to spark contemplation to a close. © Robert Baird/Qobuz