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Experience the sounds of Nairobi's Ololua forest.
- [MONRHEA] has captured the soundscape of Nairobi's Ololua forest in THE CITY's SONICs. This collection of songs is inspired by her recent set for online festival, Common, where she played alongside the likes of KMRU and Coco Em. [MONRHEA]'s sound is experimental, often exploring different sides to electronic music with Sonic Pi. Using samples from the Sound of Nairobi Archive, she has created an immersive audio experience. In particular, "SONICs FROM A RIVER IN OLOLUA FOREST" places an emphasis on the biodiversity that might be found in the Ololua forest. From the sounds of wave movements to the voices of local residents, there is an overlap in the arrangement of samples and the variety of species that might inhabit this area. [MONRHEA]'s exploration into the sonic environment of the forest takes her listeners on a journey, guiding them along the woodland trails and river, eliciting vivid imagery that intensifies this adventure.
There is a feeling of uncertainty that runs through the track, perhaps representing the unpredictability of natural environments. Sporadic noises and the intentional arrangement of randomised nature samples might mirror what it is like to explore the Ololua forest. The textures and layering of sounds builds on this entrance, linking the prospect of a novel experience with the anticipation of the dynamic unfolding in her music. A clearer structure does start to emerge towards the halfway point in this journey, almost like an audio representation of feeling at ease in new surroundings. There are bound to be differences in the perceptual experience of the Ololua forest, but to an outsider, [MONRHEA] paints a picture of this forest being an intriguing and lively place.
Tracklist01. SONICs FROM A RIVER IN OLOLUA FOREST