From distant ocean song to the clang and howl of a murky forgotten memory, MASS is a dreamlike collage of shrill shrieks, gasps, corroded brass choirs, and melting modular synth soundscapes, all heard through a mist of hiss and noise. Fused together with equal parts spastic improvisation, shrouded ritual, and meticulous arrangement, it presents a sonic topography at once tongue-in-cheek, sensitive, and nightmarish.

With discordant chorales and angular trumpet improvisations churning in an ever-evolving wash of whispers and howls, MASS is a collection of three hazy, harsh, and frightful sound-worlds. With tracks meandering between aggressive rhythms, eerie ambiences, and abrasive cut-up electronic textures, MASS draws inspiration from early tape music, horror film soundtracks, and grindcore. It was assembled between listening to extended doses of Else Marie Pade, Daphne Oram, Eliane Radigue, the Locust, Edgard Varèse, Maryanne Amacher, Dick Raaijmakers, Naked City, Mr. Bungle, and Thomas Ankersmit, bringing a little bit of all of them along with it.

MASS was recorded and mixed over the course of three weeks in January–February 2021 while in the midst of a cross-country move. Recorded entirely in short-term housing away from her studio (and most of her instruments), Reid relied exclusively on her voice, trumpet, flugelhorn, household objects, and Make Noise's Strega semi-modular synthesizer for all sound materials. Original sound materials were recorded loosely and independently with little to no overdubbing, instead relying on meticulous editing and processing in the manner of classic tape music. 

Sarah Belle Reid: trumpet, flugelhorn, voice, household objects, Make Noise 0-CTRL + Strega, mixing
Ryan Gaston: Max / MSP processing, editing, mixing
Ren Marcelo: album artwork

Tempographical Map & Listening Guide (Limited Edition)

A hand-assembled collection of conceptual maps, mixing notes, and scribbles from our journals, to enhance your listening experience and provide a glimpse into the creative process behind composing and creating this album. The Tempographical Map & Listening Guide is printed onto eight double-sided 5" x 5" loose leaf panels, allowing you to rearrange your visual explorations as you listen.

Inside you'll find a non-linear conceptual listening map and detailed structural timeline for each track on MASS, as well as tracking, mixing, and technical notes that were created during the recording and mixing process.

The prints are enclosed in a string-tie portfolio, and each item is autographed and numbered (limited print of 50). Purchases include digital download of MASS.