Sympathetic Resonance by Yum Cheok

The sequel to 2019's The Sound of Speed, Sympathetic Resonance is a continuation of the Hong Kong-inspired Yum Cheok project: building songs and experimental atmospheres solely from audio recordings of Hong Kong itself. No other samples or instruments used.

A month after that first release, Hong Kong embarked on a turbulent and very soundful trajectory, one that was impossible to ignore since bertulis had already turned his attention to making music from the cacophony of the metropolis. Thus, the latter half of the album reflects this societal upheaval, with tracks featuring the sounds of streets on fire; tear gas projectiles; riot police whistles and protester chants. In capturing them the intrepid audio artist experienced the tear gas and pepper spray firsthand, but any discomfort was only temporary compared to what countless HongKongers have had to endure.

As well as being an audial testament to the societal discord, more joyous songs were born from quirky recordings such as an elderly man singing on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui [CHINGEE TIME]; the jarring percussive chimes of Cantonese opera [TRU PEAKS]; a chance early morning encounter between local amateur musicians and body-slapping South Asians in meditation [CULTURE CLASH]; and the ubiquitous sound of mason drills that are never far away [DRILL ORCHESTRA]: reflecting the unique sonic richness of Hong Kong that inspired the project in the first place.

Music from Sympathetic Resonance is also featured in the short film Yum Cheok: Impassage, available on YouTube and nominated for the Berlin Flash Film Festival.

Tracklist

1.	INVOLUNTARY MARCHERS	0:46

2.	TRU PEAKS	7:30

3.	FM SAINTS	0:59

4.	DEITIES	6:22

5.	CULTURE CLASH	5:42

6.	DRILL ORCHESTRA	4:33

7.	SSP TEARZ [LIVE]	4:42

8.	HALLELUJAH	7:38

9.	DEMOCRACY BILL SAMBA	4:12

10.	GTHK	5:19

11.	LILAC NIGHT	0:53

Credits

released December 18, 2020

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