Vrihi by Lorenzo Brilli, Pages Made of Sound
- Arashk Azizi
- May 5
- 3 min read
Lorenzo Brilli is not just a composer—he is a contemporary storyteller who uses sound as his language and rhythm as his syntax. In his latest album Vrihi, released by Esc.Rec, Brilli invites listeners into a world shaped by layers of texture, minimalism, folk traditions, and experimental electronics. The result is a sonic narrative that feels deeply rooted in the past yet strikingly modern. This is an album that demands to be experienced rather than simply heard. Like turning the pages of a book written in sound, Vrihi unfolds its story slowly, deliberately, and with emotional precision.
The word Vrihi itself is Sanskrit for “rice”—one of the oldest cultivated crops known to humanity, symbolizing nourishment, ritual, and continuity across cultures. In this context, the album feels like a sacred offering—music as sustenance for the soul.
“Départ” (French for Departure) opens the album with a deep drone bass. A tik-tok style rhythmic pattern soon emerges, quietly gaining control as an ethereal pad joins the mix. Suddenly, a processed, effect-heavy folk vocal appears—almost ghostlike—and then the piece comes to an abrupt halt. It's a striking prologue that sets the tone for the rest of the album: unpredictable, immersive, and unafraid of silence.
“Vrihi”, the title track, is a rhythmic exploration. A constantly shifting percussion pattern creates a polyrhythmic and multi-layered texture that drives the piece forward. Melodically, it remains minimalistic, but rhythmically it’s far from it. A consistent kick underpins the chaos, creating a sense of continuity and pulling the listener into a trance-like state. The track feels ancient and futuristic at once.
“Cánticos Gris” (Gray Chants, in Spanish) moves into more ambient territory. It begins with slowly rising pads and lacks a strong percussive backbone. Instead, a looping, repetitive texture emerges, generating the impression of rhythm through tonal pulsation. The piece has a meditative quality, conjuring images of foggy landscapes and forgotten memories.
“Mare e Quadretti” (Sea and Little Squares, Italian) reintroduces percussion in the form of drums, voice fragments, clapping, and a drone pad. Together, they form a minimalistic texture that avoids monotony through subtle, evolving micro-variations. Eventually, the percussion fades, and we are left with a chant-like atmosphere rooted in folk tradition—haunting and melancholic, as though the sea were singing in mourning.
“8h-inari” closes the album on a somber note. The piece feels like a requiem. A lone organ-like timbre plays out a sorrowful melody with no rhythmic foundation, evoking a solitary minstrel lamenting lost love. As the piece progresses, a pad creeps in, introducing fragmented rhythmic patterns that slowly build tension. The atmosphere thickens until, once again, the music halts—ending not just the track, but the album’s narrative arc. This track—especially its first part—haunts me deeply. From the moment I first heard it, I couldn’t help but put it on repeat. The narrative of this piece is more than just a story: it’s a lament, hauntingly beautiful, like a lonely orchestra echoing through silence.
Final Thought
Vrihi is a carefully crafted soundscape that immerses its listener in emotional, ritualistic, and often introspective spaces. Lorenzo Brilli's command over texture, rhythm, and silence transforms music into storytelling, each piece a chapter in a larger tale of movement, memory, and meaning. It’s a rare kind of record—one that surprises you, uplifts you, and gently dismantles you all at once.
Where to Buy and listen
Vrihi is available for digital download and as a limited edition physical release that includes a beautifully designed booklet. The physical version not only enhances the listening experience with tangible artwork and notes, but also offers a collectible artifact for those who appreciate music in its full aesthetic form. You can find the album on the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Credits
Music, Drums, Percussions, Production: Lorenzo Brilli
Mix: Ruggero Fornari
Master: Edoardo Maria Bellucci at Diacronie Lab
Label: Esc.Rec
Release Date: 2024
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