Voi Doid – Atman–Brahman

Published August, 2015
by Easterndaze

“Ātman is a Sanskrit word that means inner self or soul. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism, Atman is the first principle, the true self of an individual beyond identification with phenomena, the essence of an individual. In order to attain liberation, a human being must acquire self-knowledge (atma jnana), which is to realize that one’s true self (Ātman) is identical with the transcendent self Brahman.” (Wikipedia)

Elena Pustova aka Voi Doid is the moniker of the young Russian musician from Kaliningrad. Apparently, her musical epiphany appeared when she was 18, resulting in a wildly eclectic coalescence of Academia and Sufi trance of Jajouka, industrial music and African tribal dances. Another influence is her stay in India, with all its spiritual legacy and omnipresent sonic manifestations thereof. Her LOM Label album is an colourful ride through om chants, conga beats, mantras and (Western) electronics. 

The affinity of Western producers for Oriental motifs and rhythmical structures has been well documented (the likes of ‘spiritual advisors’ like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to the Beatles, etc). Pustova’s album is a spiritual/sonic exploration, a coming of age. The beats are often relentless, verging on techno, let to unroll and project their path, without being overly swamped by the Eastern samples. She deftly oscillates between new age atmospherics and dark drone-like, almost industrial subterreanea. “Atman–Brahman is a product of this psychedeliс search.” Says the press release. We’ll second that.