ONNO Collective Features Skulk, Rana Ghose, Bengal Chemicals & More On Its 3rd Annual Compilation

After forming in 2021 and offering compilations like 'ROUGH CUTS' and 'DEEP CUTS', ONNO Collective has recently released its 3rd annual compilation 'অন্য'. The compilation brings together 21 distinct artists – from prominent personalities in the noise space of India like Hemant Sk and Revant (formerly known as Haved Jabib), and the rising ambient names like Pale Blue Dotter and sirf paudho se pyaar, to more fledgeling acts like kirikirme and Planck.

The experimental nature of the album rewards repeated listens as the seemingly random (a risk experimental music runs into) and throwaway ideas give way to focused intentions and the ability to enjoy the varied ambient beds on offer – the melody within the echoes of Planck's 'wetland', the dynamic noise run between the heavyweights Hemant Sk, Bengal Chemicals and Revant, and the meandering synth expressions of Pale Blue Dotter.

While the compilation's key merit is the collective highlighting of the varied experimental nature of India's leftfield musicians, some of the distinct moments of the 21-track release come from the meditative lyrical songwriting of Jay Kshirsagar's 'KINK KRIMSON' which suddenly and briefly breaks into a rhythmic frenzy to provide one of the sweetest spots of the album. Skulk also drops a rare release through the compilation, bringing back her deadpan vocals but with a more repetitive effect to let the surrounding production venture out more adventurously.

The most standout number on 'অন্য', however, is the closer 'Slowly mutating forests' by Fursat FM. Its pitter-pattering notes against bouncing clicks and sweeping buzzes are no different than a musical rain on a beach. From between it all, a languid composition of horns and woodwinds echoes out. It offers a brooding optimism that fits both as a bittersweet closing sentiment and could may have worked as a warm welcoming opener – giving the whole album a cyclical quality.

Listen to 'অন্য' below and follow ONNO Collective for more information.