Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith protégé Aja returns with ‘Ajasphère Vol.II’ EP.
Aja is the project of Clémence Quélennec, a French producer best known for her work with the French band La Femme for 10 years, before she decided to take a long break and move to Morocco. There, she took the time to do what she does best: research and experiment in the quest for the perfect sound through field recording, sampling and playing with endless textures and plugins.
Her first solo EP in 2019, ‘Solitaire’, paved the way for a more ambient sound. She continued to release atmospheric tracks following the moon calendar which culminated in the release of ‘Ajasphère Vol.I’ in 2021. The release represented her encompassing vision that guides her search for a sound capable of telling a story, of setting a context.
Now, following a tour with Jacques in 2022, several collaborations (including a track on ‘Touch the plants’ Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith compilation) and a residency at Villa Medici in Rome amongst other highlights, she returns with ‘Ajasphère Vol.II’ EP.
“‘Ajasphere Vol.II’ is an instrumental EP I composed between 2022 and 2023. Each track is a universe in its own right, a bubble, a sphere. They’re like soundtracks to epic mini-movies. I’d like this album to inspire listeners to dream, to imagine stories, or to accompany their days with all the gentleness I’ve put into it.
No lyrics, the voice is present, as a layer, a texture, or a fairy-like apparition (Absolune, Sceaurore, Fôrêve). This time, I recorded live instruments: Ocarina and Organetto (Oeucarina) and clarinet (Odéambule), piano (Thêthame), broom (Odéambule, Thêthame), percussion (Thêthame) and used samples of nature gleaned from my excursions: rain, wind, owls, birds.” – Aja
‘Ajasphère Vol.II’ EP consists of seven tracks ‘Oeucarina’, ‘Ondéambule’, ‘Fôrêve’, ‘Absolune’, ‘Sceaurore’ feat. Canblaster. ‘Flocontemple’ and ‘Thêtâme’.
Ahead of the full release today, Aja unveiled ‘Absolune’ single, a song inspired by the great vastness of the earth and heavens. By combining a mix of synthesizers and acoustic instruments (clarinet and trumpet), ‘Absolune’ transports listeners to nocturnal atmospheres, paving the way to the ‘Ajasphere’ once again.
And we are presenting the sixth track ‘Flocontemple’.
‘Ajasphère Vol. II’ EP is available HERE.
