Description
In the world of electronic music, James Holden has been a name to reckon with since his early DJ days, while Wacław Zimpel has been heralded as a star for his immense knowledge of classical music and his proficiency in playing clarinet. The fruitful collaboration between these two musicians saw the 2025 release of the album “The Universe Will Take Care Of You” which was nothing less than an auditory spectacle.
Pushing the boundaries of their creative genius, James Holden and Wacław Zimpel crafted a musical masterpiece. Drawing upon their affinity for globally diverse music traditions, the album is a complete journey through sounds and rhythms. It captures the listeners with its fervent arpeggios, compelling melodies, and stunning synthetic sounds. The duo uses a myriad of instruments to achieve this effect, their exploration of sounds ranging from the South Asian algoza flute to the intricate sounds of the alto clarinet.
The album is marked by a spontaneous expressive conversation, making it an explosion of raw musical creativity. Almost like an echo, the resonating music envelops the listener in a perfect harmonious blend of both artists’ musical inclinations. The captivating improvisations traverse through the skittering beats of ‘You Are Gods’, to the radiant revelations of ‘Sunbeam Path’ to the mesmerizing ambient sounds in ‘Sparkles, Crystals, Miracles’. The closing titular track serves as the perfect ending with its spiraling slow-burn ascension.
In their creative process, Holden & Zimpel have taken inspiration from their Krautrock forefathers. Holden has broadened his potential by infusing hand percussion and his childhood violin in addition to his usual modular synth systems. Similarly, Zimpel has moved past his clarinet to incorporate a variation of instruments ranging from electric piano to lap steel guitar, bringing a diverse array of sounds to the album. This collaboration resulted in an enriching and mutually inspiring musical journey that witnessed them try unexplored musical territories.
Holden’s rise to stardom as an internationally known electronic music creator had a different beginning than Zimpel’s, who got nom de guerre after receiving a classical music education in Poland and Germany. However, both artists share a deep-rooted love for hypnotic and trancey music, a trait that is apparent in their music. The album serves as a translation of their shared musical preferences, blending different music genres ranging from folk, electronic dance music, twentieth-century minimalism to improvised jazz.
James Holden brings his considerable experience and musical versatility to this collaboration, having worked with artists like Julie Thompson, Madonna, and Depeche Mode, and having shaped the careers of many budding artists through his record label, Border Community. Similarly, Zimpel has had an extensive musical background, dabbling with jazz fusion with Carnatic musicians from Bangalore under the Saagara moniker, and collaborating with contemporary jazz figures like Hamid Drake and Joe McPhee.
The resulting album, having taken inspiration from Indian folk music and the Gnawa music tradition of the Guinia family in Morocco, is a perfect representation of their collaborative synergy. Influences from their individual backgrounds and musical journeys intersperse with their love for the entrancing rhythms to create a unique auditory experience. Make this album a part of your music library, and embark on a remarkable musical journey with James Holden and Wacław Zimpel. Their connection to the trance genre and the creative fusion they bring to the table are evident in every track, making it a must-listen for every electronic music enthusiast.
