3 out of 5

Label: Astral Spirits, Feeding Tube Records

Produced by: ?

This probably exists between two ratings – one more lukewarm, one glowing. That wouldn’t translate to a “half” value of whatever ranking system we’re using for these ratings – e.g. 3.5 stars out of 5 – more that my take on this listen was either one or the other. At times fantastic; at times wandering. This parallels a couple things present in the material and recording, comprised of pre-existing Mako Sica tracks and new explorations, all performed with percussionist Hamid Drake, and two recording sessions, which make for quite different takes on the collaboration’s sound.

The first two tracks, of one recording session, are warm and cinematic, capturing both of the styles mentioned above: the incredibly fractured freeform of opener Dance With Waves – a tough start, being the least immersive track here, loosely iterating on a minimalist, experimental rock template that keeps hinting towards punctuation / conclusions that don’t arrive – and a lovely, elongated bit of slocore drone, underpinned by Drake’s restless but controlled percussion, vocal stylings that are like a chilled out Abilene, and swirling guitar and bass work.

The Greatest Gift and The Old Book kick off the next section, each landing on some badass rockouts that go for a live sound – muffled drums; loose, slightly off-timed playing – that feels like it would be great live, but is somewhat distancing on album. Closer The Wu Wei shifts back to drone, with similar success as before, though the production here again leans it into a drum circle vibe.

Throughout Ronda, I kept dismissing things as a bit too open-ended for my tastes, only to be drawn in when a song would suddenly resolve into some surprising new direction – or sometimes convince by holding steady – and causing me to go back in for another listen. The songs are, ultimately, pretty wandering, but the album is undeniably an interesting listen, however approached.