之 / OF, by Li Yilei

之 / OF

by Li Yilei

supported by

Zacharias Kraus I didn't quite get it at first listen, but now that I gave it a few more tries I'm in love with the beauty of this album. Favorite track: KOU / 口.

seekerofmusic As haunting as it is memorable, this album is a journey I will be taking over and over again.

Brian Wentzlaff ah yes. thank you

Leon Frey Entirely beguiling, with fragile atmospheres that both soothe and leave one feeling empty.

I might even wager that this will go on to be considered a classic.

HYLDÝPI These 2 tracks are wonderful, look forward to hearing the rest of the album ❤️❤️

Working Title this is absolutely fantastic. some of the most invigorating interesting electronic music I've heard in some time Favorite track: CHU / 處.

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£8 GBP or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Limited Edition 140g Translucent 'Natural' Colour Vinyl. Limited second pressing of 500.

Includes unlimited streaming of 之 / OF via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

Purchasable with gift card

£18 GBP or more
Limited Edition Compact Disc
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Eco-friendly gatefold card case with exclusive gatefold artwork.

Better product shots coming in a few weeks! :)

Includes unlimited streaming of 之 / OF via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out
Limited Edition Handmade Xun (traditional Chinese vessel flute)
The xun is a globular, vessel flute from China. It is one of the oldest musical instruments in China and has been in use for approximately seven thousand years.The xun was initially made of baked clay or bone, and later of clay or ceramic.

Li has made a small number of ceramic xun, cast through plaster moulds and finalised by hand to support the release of their incredible new album OF which features a track called 'Xun' that samples a number of Chinese instruments including a xun.

Each xun comes signed by Li and will be shipped in a customised wooden box, along with an information card and photo card.

All purchases will come with a digital download of the album.

Please note these items will be shipped separately to any record purchased as they will be shipping directly from China where Li is currently working. ... more

Sold Out

1.	TAN / 潭 01:57	buy track
2.	CHU / 處 02:23	buy track
3.	HUO / 惑 04:15	buy track
4.	WEI / 未 02:13	buy track
5.	HAI / 海 03:43	buy track
6.	NEI / 内 03:37	buy track
7.	MUU / 木 02:10	buy track
8.	SAN / 散 02:06	buy track
9.	XUN / 旬 03:49	buy track
10.	YAN / 言 02:20	buy track
11.	YUN / 暈 05:12	buy track
12.	KOU / 口 03:15	buy track

about

‘’之 / OF is a word that can be used as a preposition to express the relationship between a part and a whole. It is an unfinished tone, a broken sentence, a start and a whole. It is sustainable, full of potentials and longings.’’

London based performance and sound artist Li Yilei shared an experience familiar to many migrants during the past year of COVID-19 chaos. With their UK visa set to expire, and family back in China, Li made a last-minute dash to return to their nation of birth. Able to board one of the last few flights to China during the initial turmoil of the coronavirus outbreak, Li made it back to Shanghai for a two-week stint in a quarantine hotel.

Though Li had already begun creating OF, the reality of the pandemic began to seep into the recordings. Each of the 12 tracks is a study in horology, using metaphorical sound transcriptions and atmospheric extractions to focus on the temporal relationship between experience and surroundings. Li’s awareness of their own understanding of time became increasingly heightened during quarantine and the emotional involvement found within these new realities informed many of the sounds created.

‘’I tried to portray each song as a short, scattered poem - a moment that I captured to represent each hour.’’

Composed using analogue synthesisers, vocal samples, field recordings and string instruments such as the violin and guqin, Li indulges in moments of grief, panic, healing, cessation, melancholy, vastness, hope, joy and emptiness as they explore the acoustic relations between humans and the many forces of nature.

The art of the Song Dynasty, with its ancient traditions of poetry and timekeeping, were also great sources of inspiration for the album - whilst paintings from the period, specifically those of flowers and birds, are common themes throughout the tracks. Indeed, it is within the vastness of time that the album artwork comes to relevance. The eighth emperor of the Song Dynasty, Huizong, was a revered artist and a scene from his work ‘Finches and Bamboo’ adorns the album cover.

之 / OF is available from August 16 2021 in a limited pressing of 500 140gm vinyl in a natural translucent colourway. In support of the release Li has made a limited number of handmade xun (a traditional Chinese vessel flute used as far back as 7000 years ago) - these can be purchased from Metron Records bandcamp page.

credits

released August 16, 2021

Composed and produced by Li Yilei.
Mastered by Brandon Hocura.
Design by Jack Hardwicke.

Special thanks to Jessica Goodchild, George Clift

license

about

Métron Records New Forest District, UK

small méasures

metronrecords.com

live events

Mirror City Listening Party

contact / help

Contact Métron Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like 之 / OF, you may also like:

Promises
by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

supported by 111 fans who also own “之 / OF”

Four words: Absolutely brilliant. Tony Brook
go to album
Space 1.8
by Nala Sinephro

supported by 73 fans who also own “之 / OF”

Gorgous album offering a great mix between space ambience and jazz. Reminds me of Archie Pelago / Cosmo D. The experiment definitely works. The only track I don't dig at all is Space 6 (a bit too off for the rest of the album), but Space 8 on the other hand is some of the best music that I have ever heard. Harmony in itself. What a great find! Dennis Albrecht
go to album
Because of a Flower
by Ana Roxanne

supported by 67 fans who also own “之 / OF”

Bought the vinyl. Spectacular use of sound with some insane vocals overhead. David Elias
go to album
Colors Tease
by charaxes

Ambient artist charaxes creates the soundscape of an alien forest, with gentle melodies fading into environmental textures. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 10, 2023
go to album
Casio Compositions
by Low Noon

Calming ambient tones make up this minimalist album from the Brooklyn-based band. Bandcamp New & Notable May 22, 2020
go to album
A Matter of Light and Depth
by f5point6

Sprawling and cinematic, the 12 songs on the new one from f5point6 head for the outer reaches of electronic music & ambient. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 10, 2022
go to album
~~~
by Ana Roxanne

supported by 66 fans who also own “之 / OF”

Open, thoughtful spaces to wonder within. Tom Buhrman
go to album