Music: MONOH – MONOH

MONOH aka Roger Odermatt is a Swiss sitar player, based in Zurich, who spent over 10 years studying the sitar under Shalil Shankar, a disciple of legendary Ravi Shankar. On his new album simply titled MONOH, the talented Swiss musician brings sitar and electronic music together to electrifying results.

Yeah, this album is intense. From the start with “Zooloo,” the intense sitar grooves are combined with a building synths, as his plucking becomes more wild and intense. It really does burst into life, as he brings electronic beats as well to really bring out this incredible, tense energy. “With Attitude” has this devilish melody, with darker sitar leads and an electrifying beat and bassline that completely overwhelms me. As a big fan of the sitar, I’m just in awe of the sounds he is able to produce, especially on the 9 minute magnum opus “Panjaam.” The sitar rhythms are strong and the electronic beats bring such a phenomenally inspiring energy. The latter half of the track reminds me of some futuristic, Blade Runner-like soundtrack moment, that captures my imagination. The meditative “For Good” is fantastic, while the “Panjaam Edit” once again brings that grandiosity. Overall, I’m really pleasantly surprised by this project, having randomly come across it on Bandcamp. It’s a wonderful introduction into MONOH’s world of electro-sitar music, if that’s what you want to call it.

Lsiten to MONOH’s brand new project MONOH below via Bandcamp and don’t forget to support! Released via Quiet Love Records.