*2025 stock* 'Taking the Veil' marks the debut solo album from Berlin-based musician Hior Chronik, following his work as part of the duo Pill-Oh on 'Vanishing Mirror.' The essence of Hior Chronik’s sound remains intact on 'Taking the Veil,' with its bitterly romantic strings and delicate electronics whispering over mournful piano melodies. Hior Chronik has a penchant of producing subtly immense and cinematic compositions which are remarkably chilling in its beauty.
Continuing along his distinctive compositional path, Taking the Veil features a different collaborator on each track. These intimate, evocative collaborations shape the album’s sound, imbuing each piece with its own nuances. From solo piano to full string orchestra, the varied instrumentation breathes life into the music, creating an atmospheric space that shimmers with poignant melancholy. The album also features notable contemporary composers, including Field Rotation (Christoph Berg), Sophie Hutchings, Aaron Martin, and Japanese artists like Yasushi Yoshida.
The addition of vocals by Amber Ortolano and Fabiola Sanchez (Familiar Trees) on four tracks marks a departure from Hior Chronik’s previous work. Their voices, particularly Ortolano’s, become a recurring lyrical presence throughout the album. Together, they have also reinterpreted 'Twice,' originally written by Swedish electronic band Little Dragon, adding another layer of depth to this release.
Presented as a 16-page art book, Taking the Veil features stunning photography by New York-based artist Amber Ortolano. The visuals within the art book depict young women trapped by their swirling thoughts and dark imaginations. Their delicate beauty and ambiguous gestures serve as potent metaphors for the veil suggested by the album’s title — simultaneously revealing and concealing, they evoke emotions tied to mystery and introspection. This evocative atmosphere probes the consciousness of half-remembered, half-dreamed visions, making 'Taking the Veil' the perfect companion for late-night reflection and wandering through a world of mist and shadows.
