Jorge Natalin – Lament for the Shaman EP

In his eighth EP release, Lament for the Shaman, Jorge Natalin crafts a poignant instrumental tribute that resonates with emotional depth and sonic exploration. Rooted in the intersection of Leftfield, Dreampop, and Electronic Music, the six-track mini album unfolds as a meditative journey that reflects both mourning and memory, steeped in atmosphere and a refined sense of rhythm.

The EP opens with a wash of ambient textures, setting the tone with soft, undulating synth pads that evoke a dreamlike melancholy. From the first note, Natalin constructs an immersive sound world, where each layer seems to float weightlessly, yet is grounded by subtle rhythmic choices. The beats throughout the record rarely dominate—instead, they pulse beneath the surface like a distant heartbeat, gently guiding the listener through a fog of introspection.

Rhythm, while restrained, plays a crucial role in anchoring the emotional weight of the album. Tracks shift between broken beat patterns and minimalist percussion, sometimes flirting with trip-hop tempos, but never fully committing to conventional structures. This deliberate looseness enhances the EP’s otherworldly aura, leaving space for atmosphere to bloom. The beat programming is never ostentatious; rather, it’s meticulous in its balance—complex enough to add texture, yet sparse enough to let the melodies speak.

Synth work across Lament for the Shaman is both central and sublime. Natalin utilizes analog warmth and digital clarity in equal measure, sculpting shimmering leads, subdued pads, and occasional glitch-like flourishes that feel like distant signals from a forgotten past. The sonic palette is rich but never crowded, offering a clarity that enhances the emotional narrative. One can hear echoes of Boards of Canada’s nostalgia-tinged soundscapes, or early M83 in their more ambient moments, yet the EP maintains a unique voice, marked by intimacy and restraint.

Throughout the mini album, Natalin displays a masterful control of atmosphere. The production leans heavily into spatial design, using reverb and delay not as mere effects, but as compositional tools. This approach deepens the EP’s introspective tone, as tracks often feel like they’re unfolding in vast, uncharted emotional territory. There is a sense of reverence in the music—an ambient mourning wrapped in digital texture, perhaps reflecting the personal story behind the release.

The emotional core of Lament for the Shaman is deeply personal. Without a single word spoken, the EP conveys a narrative of reconnection, loss, and tribute. It serves as a sonic elegy for a friend who inspired and created alongside Natalin, and whose presence lingers in each track like a ghost in the machine. The EP doesn’t dwell in sorrow, but rather in remembrance—tender, reflective, and quietly powerful.

Lament for the Shaman EP stands as a high-quality release, both technically refined and emotionally resonant. It’s a sonic monument to memory, grief, and artistic kinship—an offering that we’re honored to feature on our webzine.

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