The fourth release on Centripetal Force for this first quarter of 2024 stands quite uniquely on its own. It's a collection of sacred hymns, spellbinding dirges, and a little bit of mystical meandering. It's as heady as it is heavy and as ancient as it is modern, like an old spirit awakened anew.
Burning is Learning is the second album from SOMA (Sacred Order of Mystic Apogees), a group of multi-instrumentalists from New Jersey with deep roots in the DIY music scenes of the area. They consider their music to be eclectic and sacred, with much of their musical approach grounded in traditions most associated with Pakistan and India. The drone of the harmonium is omnipresent, as is the ambience of the tanpura (a sitar-like instrument) and the reverberations of the mridanga (a percussion instrument). Devotion is at the core of SOMA's ethos, and the group holds various spiritual traditions and devotional practices that inform their sound and style, most clearly heard in the many call and response (kirtan) mantras found throughout the album.
"Shivranjani" is the first track to be released from Burning is Learning.
In quite appropriate New Jersey fashion, Burning is Learning was recorded by Phil Caivano of Monster Magnet and mastered by fellow Monster Magnet alum John McBain (QOTSA, Wellwater Conspiracy). Noted tattooer and painter Robert Ryan is responsible for the album's front cover, and Kevin Craig designed and created the back cover. A limited number of preorder editions of the album will come with artist prints of both pieces.
Burning is Learning is being presented in a 200 copy vinyl pressing. The album will also be available digitally. The release date for Burning is Learning is March 19. Preorders are now live, on the Bandcamp.
SOMA’s record release show will be April 7th at Jack’s Music Shop in Red Bank, NJ.
Front cover by Robert Ryan
Back cover by Kevin Craig