Ecstatic Computation
| Ecstatic Computation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 3 May 2019 | |||
| Genre | Electronic[1] | |||
| Length | 36:06 | |||
| Label | Editions Mego | |||
| Producer | Caterina Barbieri | |||
| Caterina Barbieri chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ecstatic Computation is a studio album by Italian composer Caterina Barbieri.[2] It was released on 3 May 2019 through Editions Mego.[3] It received universal acclaim from critics.[4]
Background
Caterina Barbieri is an Italian composer.[2] She released Vertical (2014), Patterns of Consciousness (2017), and Born Again in the Voltage (2018).[2] Ecstatic Computation is her debut studio album for Editions Mego.[5] It was released on 3 May 2019.[3]
Barbieri later released Fantas Variations (2021).[6] It contains reinterpretations of the album's song "Fantas" by Evelyn Saylor, Bendik Giske, Kali Malone, Walter Zanetti, Jay Mitta, Baseck, Carlo Maria, and Kara-Lis Coverdale.[7]
Ecstatic Computation was reissued in 2023 through Barbieri's record label Light-Years, with "Perennial Fantas" added as a CD-only bonus track.[8]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100[4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [9] |
| Exclaim! | 9/10[10] |
| Pitchfork | 7.8/10[11] |
| Resident Advisor | 4.0/5[12] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Ecstatic Computation received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[4]
Paul Simpson of AllMusic commented that "the album is deeper, darker, and trippier than any of her previous releases."[9] He added, "Intense, emotional, and often revelatory, Ecstatic Computation further establishes Barbieri as a truly visionary artist."[9] Layla Fassa of Resident Advisor stated, "Stylistic influences and sonic textures are varied, yet they're cohesive."[12] She added, "The result is an album that's both provocative and blissful."[12] Joseph Burnett of The Quietus stated, "Even in its most unsettling moments, such as the silent gaps that punctuate the synth notes on closer 'Bow of Perception', Ecstatic Computation retains a sense of expanding horizons and joyful experiments."[13]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fact | The Best Albums of 2019 | —
|
|
| The Quietus | Quietus Albums of the Year 2019 | 3
|
|
| Resident Advisor | 2019's Best Albums | —
|
|
| The Wire | The Wire's Top 50 Releases 2019 | 41
|
Track listing
All tracks are written by Caterina Barbieri.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fantas" | 10:31 |
| 2. | "Spine of Desire" | 1:32 |
| 3. | "Closest Approach to Your Orbit" | 6:30 |
| 4. | "Arrows of Time" | 4:37 |
| 5. | "Pinnacles of You" | 5:47 |
| 6. | "Bow of Perception" | 7:03 |
| Total length: | 36:06 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Perennial Fantas" | 7:48 |
| Total length: | 43:54 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[18]
- Caterina Barbieri – production
- Annie Gårlid – vocals (4)
- Evelyn Saylor – vocals (4)
- Stefano Tucci – vocals recording (4)
- Rashad Becker – mastering
- Ruben Spini – artwork
References
- ^ "Favorite Electronic Albums | AllMusic 2019 in Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Paul. "Caterina Barbieri". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b Reid, Mike (12 March 2019). "Italian composer Caterina Barbieri continues to sculpt neurons, announces new album Ecstatic Computation on Editions Mego". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ecstatic Computation by Caterina Barbieri". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 3 December 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Sherburne, Philip (26 July 2021). "9 Records That Capture the Spirit of Editions Mego, the Experimental Label Founded by the Late Peter Rehberg". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (19 February 2021). "Caterina Barbieri Enlists Kara-Lis Coverdale, Kali Malone, and More for New Album, Shares Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Williger, Jonathan (2 April 2021). "Caterina Barbieri: Fantas Variations". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Ecstatic Computation (light-years reissue) | Baterina Barbieri". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 4 March 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Paul. "Ecstatic Computation - Caterina Barbieri". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Press, Kevin (6 May 2019). "Caterina Barbieri - Ecstatic Computation". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Bowe, Miles (23 May 2019). "Caterina Barbieri: Ecstatic Computation". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Fassa, Layla (6 May 2019). "Caterina Barbieri - Ecstatic Computation". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Burnett, Joseph (2 May 2019). "A Better Tomorrow: Caterina Barbieri's Ecstatic Computation". The Quietus. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "The best albums of 2019". Fact. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Quietus Albums Of The Year 2019 (In Association With Norman Records) [page 5 of 5]". The Quietus. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "2019's Best Albums". Resident Advisor. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "The Wire's Top 50 Releases 2019". The Wire. December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Ecstatic Computation | Caterina Barbieri". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
External links
- Ecstatic Computation at Discogs (list of releases)