Diasonics - Ornithology [Clear]

Flight, freedom, and funk - Ornithology is The Diasonics spreading their wings wider than ever. Pressed on clear vinyl and released via Record Kicks, this sophomore album takes the Moscow quartet’s already distinct sound and pushes it into bold new territory, mixing cinematic textures with Eastern-tinged melodies and hypnotic grooves.

Following their acclaimed 2022 debut Origin of Forms (which scooped “Library Music Album of the Year” at PopMatters), the band spent two years experimenting inside Studio 23, a custom-built haven tucked inside a former Soviet-era lamp factory. The result is a kaleidoscopic blend of funk, instrumental hip-hop, and analog soul that feels at once retro and futuristic. Tracks draw inspiration from the avian world—bird calls, flight, and the freedom of open skies—adding a conceptual depth that ties the whole record together.

The addition of vintage synthesizers gives Ornithology a shimmering edge, while Diana Greb’s ethereal vocals weave seamlessly through the instrumentation, breathing human warmth into the largely instrumental palette. It’s lush, adventurous, and deeply atmospheric—music that flirts with 70s library records, disco-funk, and Soviet jazz fusion but still sounds entirely unique to The Diasonics.

With its clear vinyl pressing, Ornithology isn’t just a sonic journey but a visual statement too, a collectible piece that stands out both on the shelf and on the turntable. For fans of Khruangbin, Surprise Chef, or just beautifully off-kilter funk, this record is essential listening.

Tracklist

1. Jay
2. Black Owl
3. Mockingbird
4. Larks
5. Peregrine
6. Finch
7. Storm Petrel
8. Oriole
9. Guineafowl
10. Chickadee
11. Cuckoo