Listening to Lara Somogyi is like entering a kaleidoscopic sonic experience, experimenting with sensations and sounds that elevate us to a meditative trance state. After releasing her debut album, !, earlier this year, the Los Angeles-based electronic artist and harpist is ready for the next chapter in her artistry, putting out an expanded version of the musical project. ! (Expansion) brings ten captivating versions of the original tracks from her initial album, each offering a fusion of orchestral arrangements, expanded harp versions, acoustic renditions, and remixes by artists, including Kinnship, CARM & Trever Hagen, and Joviale.
Discussing the expanded album, Somogyi reveals, “The orchestral expansions came from a profound love of symphonic strings alongside the harp. I have deep orchestral roots, so pairing these songs with a string ensemble felt like a natural evolution within all these compositions. The string timbres against the harp and electronics create a captivating language that intrigues me. I’m excited to have these versions out in this release.”
Somogyi’s creative process involves linking the physicality of playing the harp to the original songs, enabling the music to flourish and broaden through a direct bond between her and the instrument. The outcome is a compilation of expressive pieces that evoke a wide range of emotions and invites listeners to venture into novel realms of sound and space.
Listen to the expanded album…
