PRESS RELEASE: NOW AVAILABLE: Arooj Aftab's "Siren Islands"

NOW AVAILABLE:

Arooj Aftab's
Siren Islands


available exclusively through
New Amsterdam’s Bandcamp Subscription
as part of new Windmill Series


Siren Islands is the new album from Pakistan-born, Brooklyn-based composer and performer Arooj Aftab. The record is available exclusively through New Amsterdam’s Bandcamp subscription as part of the Windmill Series, a new digitally-focused set of releases for subscribers in addition to our regular release schedule. Subscribe today to receive the album, which will be released on all other platforms on July 13.

Siren Islands is a raw collection of ambient, experimental electronic music, carrying strong themes of female empowerment, and taking inspiration from the mythology of Sirenum Scopuli. While working on the project, Aftab spent many winter nights in a very deep musical meditation, experimenting with analog synthesizers, loop pedals, electric guitar, and her own deeply enchanting voice. It is an immersive work filled with "spiraling soundscapes for lo-fi dreaming." 
 
Written and performed by Aftab alone, each track is recorded live and tracked to a single mono input, creating an intimate world that is difficult to escape, balanced between the ancient and contemporary.

from distant waters, from parallel worlds,
concealed by the drifting mists of floating islands
come the siren songs
beckoning the spirit to submerge and submit



Written and performed by Arooj Aftab
Mixed and mastered by Damon Whittemore
Artwork “Miss Rockaway” courtesy of Swoon Studio
Liner notes by Radhika Singh


About the NewAm Bandcamp Subscription:

For the first time ever, you can get all New Amsterdam Records albums as they are released, plus a selection of releases from our groundbreaking back catalog.

Join today and you’ll receive the following:

Siren Islands - the new album from Pakistan-born, Brooklyn-based composer and performer Arooj Aftab (available exclusively through NewAm subscription as part of NewAm’s new Windmill Series).

Until My Last – the new album (and NewAm debut) from Indianapolis-based composer, performer, and multimedia artist Jordan Munson (available exclusively through the NewAm subscription).

Without Chasms – the new electronic EP from composer William Brittelle (available exclusively through the NewAm subscription)

► New albums from Aizuri Quartet, Robbie Lee and Mary Halvorson, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and many others to come! We average 8-10 releases per year.

On top of all that, you’ll also get some exclusive content intended only for our cherished subscribers, including live recordings and other special goodies! You’ll also get immediate access to a selection of back-catalog releases, 20% off everything in our store, and exclusive access to subscriber-only communications directly from the label, including news about forthcoming releases.