After a four-year hiatus, the rather special duo of Irish vocalist Gillian NoVa and Brazilian composer Márcio Paz have returned with an absolutely stunning new single called ‘First Echo’. Performing under the moniker Darkroom Data, Gillian and Márcio deliver a hypnotic, atmospheric, and utterly immersive piece of music that, though released only a few hours ago, already proves their time away has only sharpened their sonic vision.
Conceived in the small fishing village of Dunmore East in Ireland and finished in the mountains of Lapinha de Serra in southeast Brazil, ‘First Echo’ feels like a whispered conversation between distant landscapes. It’s hauntingly minimalist and entrancing, using just a harmonium, bass, synthesiser, and Gillian’s angelic vocals.
As for the meaning behind ‘First Echo’, the pair have said it’s “a study of loss and longing, capturing the essence of a wish which, held for a long time although never coming to pass, begins to feel like a memory”.
Before their hiatus, Darkroom Data were seeing some truly impressive streaming numbers, with their previous single ‘Fall With You’ nearing 500,000 plays on Spotify alone. I’m certain ‘First Echo’ is poised to follow suit. It’s an absolute blinder of a tune!
Serious tune alert! Enjoy ‘First Echo’ on Spotify now:
