Ela Minus – COMBAT
Today, Colombian producer and singer Ela Minus releases a new single, the immersive and gorgeous “COMBAT,” presenting a theme of strength and defiant energy. Known for creating her own synthesizers and her work with analog machines in the electronic realm, “COMBAT” features a quartet of woodwinds, marking the first time she has written and recorded with acoustic instruments. It sounds unlike anything Minus has ever created. “COMBAT” is accompanied by a video directed by Losmose.
With celestial synths and seraphic woodwinds evoking both classic techno and New Age revivalism, “COMBAT” feels like a symphony of one. “Los pájaros nacidos en jaula/no le tenemos miedo a nada,” Minus sings at the start, referencing a popular proverb about how birds born in a cage grow to consider flying a sickness. But Minus turns that phrase on its head, declaring that, in her view, those birds are actually fearless. Her soft voice moves through these long tones with a balletic grace, juxtaposing the airy sound of the instrumental and the aggressiveness of her lyrics: “No parar hasta quemarlo todo” (“keep going until it’s all burned down”). “The foundation of ‘COMBAT’ comes from a recorded performance I did a few years ago. It was then that I improvised the chord progression that became the soul of the song. Jesse Scheinin did a beautiful performance of the woodwinds I wrote for it.” Minus elaborates, “It’s about the intensity of feelings and emotions that it hopefully evokes. You come out the other end of the struggle stronger. I hope the music speaks for itself.”
The “COMBAT” video begins in a large minimalistic space of enveloping light and kaleidoscopic shapes evoking an anechoic chamber. The camera pulls out to Minus singing, before slowly moving closer and closer, entering her chest and unveiling her beating heart. Her breath, her voice, the music, and the space become a meditation, as Minus both literally and sonically opens her heart to the listener.
Ela Minus Tour Dates
Sat. June 8 – Bude, Cornwall, UK @ The Wyldes *
Fri. June 14 – Barcelona, ES @ Sónar
Fri, June 28 – Halifax, UK @ The Piece Hall *
Sat. Aug. 10 – London, UK – Four Tet All Dayer (DJ Set)
Thu. Aug. 22 – Montreal, QC @ MUTEK Montreal
* supporting Underworld
#elaminus