Metamorphosis, by Cykada

Cykada - So Divided (Official Video)

Metamorphosis

by Cykada

supported by

laoscurita Breathtaking record. These guys are otherworldly masters of modern jazz. I'd love to catch them live someday. Favorite track: Ashen Faun.

shapesofrhythm Another monster LP from these dons! Highly recommended. Favorite track: 3301.

Watts one of my best albums of 2023 with incredible energy, a jazz exploring all the way to the Orient, powerful bass, rock energy, an underlying groove.
And Astigmatic Records is still in the game ! Favorite track: 3301.

martinj1955 This is a quantum leap from the first album, which I enjoyed immensely. This on the other hand is experimentation gone wrong, a kind of mutation. Electronics overwhelm all the other instruments to the extent that there is no coherent sound. Very disappointing

John Seltenreich Quite fantastic. A great opportunity to get you away from the ordinary.

Jordan Matyka Fire of the debut album updated with some vocals and extra dopeness. Favorite track: 3301.

Wrapped In Skin, Folded In Autumn's Bosom thumbnail

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
· Limited Edition to 300 copies
· Hand-numbered
· 180g Light Blue Vinyl
· Bookjacket
· B2 poster
· Insert

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
· 180g Black Vinyl
· Insert

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Includes unlimited streaming of Metamorphosis via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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edition of 1200 85 remaining

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
· Press of 500 copies
· Hand-numbered
· 6-panel Digipak

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Includes unlimited streaming of Metamorphosis via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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edition of 500 47 remaining

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1.	Crystalline Peaks 02:05	buy track
2.	Fallacy 05:42	buy track
3.	So Divided 06:27 video	buy track
4.	3301 05:36	buy track
5.	The Cracks In The Bricks (Prologue) 01:52	buy track
6.	The Cracks In The Bricks 06:31	buy track
7.	Ashen Faun 06:20	buy track
8.	Last Throes of the Temporal Monolith 01:51	buy track

about

When Cicadas appear in the area they cause a huge uproar. It’s hard to escape the distinctive noise these critters make, reaching up to 120 decibels. The hypnotic, trance-inducing sound disappears with the insects. A few months after Cykada's explosive debut, the world was hit by turbulence and from Cykada there was silence - fortunately only seemingly, because the next cycle began underground, in the privacy of the studio. It was there that the cicadas matured, waiting for a metamorphosis.

The year 2019 was very successful for Cykada, with a brilliantly received debut album, concerts at numerous festivals in the UK and Europe such as Glastonbury, Wilderness, London Jazz Festival, BAM Festival, La Defense Jazz Festival or Love Supreme Festival, along with constantly composing and preparing material for the second album. As the musicians entered the studio, the coronavirus pandemic was already in full swing across the globe. It was clear then that the world would never be the same. With increasing restrictions Cykada went underground, waiting for changes to surface again. Unfortunately the expected change that was happening seemed only for the worse - Brexit and its socio-economic consequences, worldwide disinformation, accelerating climate catastrophe and Russian invasion of Ukraine. The collapse of the old world order is the perfect moment for metamorphosis and with this message Cykada steps out again into broad daylight, matured and carrying a message with their long-awaited second album “Metamorphosis”.

The meaning behind the title is multifaceted. It refers both to changes taking place in our society and changes to our world as nature defends itself from human stupidity and greed. It is also a reference to the personal and musical development of the band members in that difficult period. It all became a foundation to bravely attempt to make new beginnings.

The metamorphosis is also clear in the musical aspect of Cykada. Their debut album was already difficult to shoehorn into specific genres with their sound that balanced jazz, electronics and elements of global music styles. With the second album their eclectic style has evolved into something distinct and innovative, combining folk/jazz song form and improvisation with heavier sounds inspired by sound system culture and rock. The band grew into a septet thanks to multi-instrumentalist Rob Milne, expanding the horn section to 3 instruments and galvanising its sound. But the biggest change that happened compared to the first album is the singing of Cykada leader Jamie Benzies in singles “So Divided” and “The Crack in the Bricks”. Both songs carry an important message, showing us that the changes in the world are already happening and that only we can make it head in the right direction. This unique sonic mix along with the message unleashes a powerful energy that the musicians want to send to and infect every listener.

The second Cykada album titled “Metamorphosis” will be released on Astigmatic Records in digital, CD and LP versions as standard and limited edition. The album is scheduled for release on November 24, 2023. Pre-order of the album starts on November 3, 2023 on Bandcamp.

credits

released November 24, 2023

1. Crystalline Peaks
(composition by Javi Perez)
2. Fallacy
(composition by Tim Doyle)
3. So Divided
(composition & lyrics by Jamie Benzies)
4. 3301
(composition by Tilé Gichigi-Liperé)
5. The Cracks in the Bricks (Prologue)
(composition by Jamie Benzies)
6. The Cracks in the Bricks
(composition by Jamie Benzies, lyrics by Jamie Benzies & Tilé Gichigi-Liperé)
7. Ashen Faun
(composition by Axel Kaner-Lidstrom & Tilé Gichigi-Liperé)
8. Last Throes of the Temporal Monolith
(composition by Tilé Gichigi-Liperé)

Jamie Benzies - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Tim Doyle - Drums
Javi Perez - Electric Guitar
Tilé Gichigi-Liperé - Keys & Electronics
Axel Kaner-Lidstrom - Trumpet
James Mollison - Tenor Saxophone
Rob Milne - Tenor Saxophone & Bass Clarinet & Flute
Production: Tilé Gichigi-Liperé (D’vo) & Tim Doyle (Chiminyo)
Executive Production: Łukasz Wojciechowski & Jamie Benzies
Visionary: Jamie Benzies
Studio: Hermitage Works Studios (July 2020)
Recording Engineer: Nathan Ridley
Mix and Master Engineer: Aviv Cohen
Cover Art: Miranda Benzies
Graphic Design: Animisiewasz
Photographer: Karolina Wielocha

www.astigmaticrecords.com

license

about

Cykada London, UK

Cykada have forged a unique and infectious sound. Combine electronic and live music with global inspiration from West Africa to Eastern Europe, throw in some beats and riddims of soundsystem culture, the spontaneity of jazz and rock, and we have a new dynamic mashup unlike anything previously witnessed.

Comprising of members of Ezra Collective, Maisha, Myriad Forest & Levitation Orchestra ... more

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