- Extended ambient cuts built from dusty jazz samples.
- Imagine engaging in virtual mindfulness: wandering through an immersive environment, being guided by a calming voice that assists in clearing overactive thoughts and making you feel better. can’t somebody smile_ is a two-track project from Barraco Barner that evokes this kind of online tranquillity. Hailing from New York, Barner is an artist that specializes in an alternative kind of experimental music. Compared to his previous releases that tend to fall within a one or two-minute time frame, can’t somebody smile_ is formed of two longer pieces, 13 and 14 minutes each. They follow his usual style of minimal ambient that includes a free-flowing structure, intriguing vocals and sampled jazz instrumentation.
Both pieces were performed as part of a POND magazine and eto ano livestream about teaching during the pandemic in New York. The opener begins with an echoed vocal of someone expressing how happy they are to be recognized as a jazz artist: "Wow, jazz musician, artist... it made me feel... feel good... You've got to have somebody recognize the fact that you're in an exclusive kind of art form... something special." The sample adds to the alluring atmosphere of the track, which is captivating for all 13 minutes.
Barner also makes use of prolonged tape hiss and soft undertones, which glide alongside looped horns in "20201216 can’t somebody smile_ 1," and tread under faint bells in "20201216 can’t somebody smile_ 2." Both tracks, in their own way, capitalise on their simple yet compelling structures. The result is like narrative mood music.
Tracklist01. 20201216 can't somebody smile_ 1
02. 20201216 can't somebody smile_ 2