Outhentic - Transparent

Outhentic

Transparent
self-released; 2019

​4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

I’ll admit I don’t have much experience listening to music from Bulgaria. I also couldn’t understand the lyrics on the album Transparent by Outhentic. That being said I love a lot of music from places like Brazil and where I find the music itself beautiful to listen to.

Outhentic was formed in 2012 and was founded by Zhivko Vasilev (kaval/piano) and Rayna Vasileva (vocal/percussions), along with the first guitarist of the band Viktor Dzhorgov. ​In 2018, Borislav Iliev (guitar) and Stoil Ivanov (drums) joined the band as well.

The music on this album is beautifully produced and delivered. There is a lot to appreciate from the technically and creative instrumental aspects to the consistently emotionally resonant vocal performances. The music is varied and mixed multiple styles to my ears including jazz, rock, folk and more.

“Ayda, Ayda” is the opener and it has striking percussion that grabbed my attention. The vibe here is Eastern in terms of instrumentation. I would say the flute and percussive aspects dance around in a playful manner while the vocals anchor the music. The song does explode when the bass arrives. This was one of the highlights and one of the songs that has so much to appreciate.

“Yaz Ti Postilam” is very smooth and you can hear the influence of jazz on this track especially from the drums. It’s serene and contains an exceptional vocal performance. They sound more rock oriented on “Zalibih Si Edno Libe” which brought to mind a band like Rusted Root. They speed up the BPM on “Razoral Dedo” which flexes their impressive technical skills and melds jazz and prog rock. I loved the drum and bass breakdown with this song.

There is quite a notable difference on the sparse and meditative “Chereshko Chorna” while “Yunache Ludo” is thematic and grand. As the album progresses with songs like “Doydi, Doydi, Libe Le” and “Stiga Mi Sa, Momne Le - Ti Rechi, Momne Le” I was realizing how they incorporate multiples genres into one song so seamlessly.

After another solid song entitled “Rachenitsa” they close with “Rano E Moma.” “Rano E Moma” is funky like no other song on the album and was a great way to close.

​There is no doubt how good these musicians are. The talent in undeniable as is the emotion that they create.

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