This track is from Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson’s 2001 release “Englabörn,” and what you’re hearing is the Roman poet Catullus’ text “Odi et Amo,” sung by a computerized countertenor, accompanied by a string quartet. The idea sounds like a foolish gimmick, but the emotional effect is intensely strange and a little bit chilling. Jóhannsson wrote: “What I really like about it is the harsh contrast of the computer voice and the strings, the alchemy of total opposites, the sewing machine and umbrella on a dissecting table.”
— T.B.
