Description
Moses Sumney – Live From Blackalachia – Double Red Vinyl Records
Vinyl Me Please
Earthy, Dynamic Arrangements from Aronmanticism and grae
Recorded Live in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Pressed on Exclusive Red Vinyl
Limited to 1000 foil-stamped and numbered copies
VMP Exclusive
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Released on December 10, 2021, Moses Sumney’s Live from Blackalachia is a captivating live album that showcases the ethereal beauty of his music in a stunning natural setting. Recorded over two days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina during the summer of 2020, this album and accompanying concert film capture Sumney performing some of his most beloved tracks outdoors, bringing a sense of rawness and organic energy to his already genre-defying sound.
Moses Sumney, known for his experimental blend of soul, R&B, art-pop, and electronic music, has carved out a unique space in contemporary music. With his soaring falsetto, intricate arrangements, and deeply personal lyricism, Sumney’s work challenges traditional genre boundaries, and Live from Blackalachia is no exception. The live album offers an immersive experience, allowing listeners to hear his music in a more unfiltered, dynamic form, accompanied by the sounds of nature.
The title Blackalachia is a blend of “Black” and “Appalachia,” reflecting Sumney’s embrace of his Black identity and his desire to reclaim spaces where Blackness has been historically marginalized. The album and film were recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when live performances were rare, and Sumney found inspiration in the serenity and openness of the Appalachian landscape.
By performing outdoors, Sumney sought to merge his art with the natural world, offering an alternative to the conventional concert experience. The result is a project that feels both intimate and expansive, with the vastness of the mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop to Sumney’s otherworldly vocals and music.
While Sumney’s studio work is often meticulously produced and layered, Live from Blackalachia brings a more stripped-down, visceral energy to his music. The performances feel looser and more dynamic, with the live setting adding a raw intensity to each track.
The live arrangements of Sumney’s songs often differ from their studio counterparts, with extended intros, altered tempos, and moments of improvisation. This approach allows Sumney and his band to explore the emotional depths of each song in real-time, creating a sense of spontaneity that draws listeners in.
The sounds of nature—birds chirping, wind blowing, and even moments of silence—are woven into the fabric of the album, adding an atmospheric quality that enhances the immersive experience. Sumney’s voice, already a powerful instrument, takes on a new dimension as it echoes through the open landscape.
Sumney’s vocals are at the forefront of the album, showcasing his extraordinary range and control. His falsetto is both delicate and commanding, effortlessly moving between moments of vulnerability and power. On tracks like “Doomed” and “Me in 20 Years”, Sumney’s voice carries the emotional weight of the lyrics, making the live versions feel even more poignant.
Live from Blackalachia is more than just a live album; it’s a reclamation of space and identity. Sumney’s choice to record in the Appalachian mountains, a region not typically associated with Black art, is a statement in itself, symbolizing his desire to take up space in places where Black presence has been historically marginalized or underrepresented.
The very act of performing in the mountains of Appalachia carries symbolic weight, as Sumney, a Black artist, claims a natural space that has often been linked to white rural America. The project is a declaration of his right to occupy any space he chooses, both artistically and physically. As with his previous albums, Live from Blackalachia explores themes of self-discovery, alienation, and the complexities of identity. Songs like “Virile” and “Gagarin” touch on masculinity, emotional vulnerability, and the tension between strength and fragility.
The live setting allows for a sense of intimacy and connection that is different from studio recordings. The openness of the environment, combined with Sumney’s emotive delivery, makes listeners feel as though they are part of a personal conversation or an intimate performance shared with nature itself.
Notable Tracks
“Doomed”: One of Sumney’s most well-known songs, “Doomed” is given new life in this live performance. The sparse arrangement allows Sumney’s voice to shine, with the outdoor setting adding a haunting, ethereal quality to the track. The song’s themes of existential dread and isolation resonate even more deeply in the live context.
“Me in 20 Years”: This heart-wrenching ballad about loneliness and the passage of time is one of the emotional high points of the album. Sumney’s vocal performance is full of raw emotion, and the live arrangement, with its swelling instrumentation and atmospheric backdrop, amplifies the song’s poignancy.
“Virile”: A dynamic performance of this bold, genre-bending track, “Virile” showcases Sumney’s ability to blend rock, electronic, and soul influences seamlessly. The live version has an added intensity, with Sumney’s voice cutting through the driving beat and powerful instrumentation.
“Plastic”: Another highlight of the album, “Plastic” is a more subdued, introspective moment. The minimalist arrangement allows the lyrics to take center stage, with Sumney reflecting on the fragility of identity and the pressures to conform.
“Gagarin”: Named after the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, this song explores themes of isolation and exploration, both physical and emotional. The live version of “Gagarin” is expansive, with swirling synths and Sumney’s voice soaring over the ambient soundscape.
Live from Blackalachia received widespread acclaim for its originality and the way it reimagines the live performance experience. Critics praised Sumney for his ability to translate the emotional depth of his studio work into a live setting, while also highlighting the album’s unique combination of natural sounds and musical experimentation.
The accompanying concert film further enhanced the album’s impact, with stunning visuals that capture the beauty of the Appalachian landscape and Sumney’s captivating presence as a performer. The film was lauded for its artistic vision and its seamless integration of music, nature, and performance art.
Live from Blackalachia is not just a documentation of a live performance—it’s a statement about reclaiming space, challenging norms, and pushing the boundaries of what live music can be.
Live from Blackalachia is a mesmerizing and innovative live album that showcases Moses Sumney’s unique ability to blend music, art, and nature into a cohesive and deeply moving experience. By performing in the Appalachian wilderness, Sumney creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, allowing listeners to engage with his music in a new and profound way.
For fans of Sumney’s previous work, Live from Blackalachia offers a fresh perspective on his music, while newcomers will be drawn in by the album’s ethereal beauty and emotional depth. As a live album, it stands as a testament to Sumney’s artistry and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, identity, and genre.
Track Listing
Insula
Virile
Conveyor
Quarrel
In Bloom (Acoustic Woods Version)
Space Nation Race Place 0:30
Colouour
Plastic
Bless Me
Bystanders (In Space)
Me In 20 Years
Doomed
Polly
