Hong Kong experimental duo Carpe Diem are really out of this world; these avant-garde atmospheres are mixed and balanced with subtlety, creating surrealism. Looping textures of the guitar with otherworldly vocals by Ada guide the ears through vivid dream states, blurring reality.
The duo aims to marry narrative storytelling with ambient psychedelia, and as a result, Carpe Diem have built a loyal fanbase off the back of their inherent ability to captivate.
Carpe Diem is back with their most intriguing track yet, "Ne plus Ultra." This duo lay shimmering textures over poetic lyrics, thinking about life's ebbs and flows. In a little over four mesmerizing minutes, Carpe Diem lures listeners into a dream state where reality and imagination combine to get real. Blending Ada's classically trained vocals with Keith's looping guitar techniques opened up a world of possibilities for the duo. A little later on, adding keyboards, bass, and percussion to their recordings only expanded their sonic palette. They remain committed to what they began: making immersive worlds that activate the imagination.
Soft keys whisper at the very start of this song, with plucked guitar immediately setting the tone for the whole piece as pensive. On top of the airy instrumentation, the vocals by Ada float sublimely and induce instantaneous reflection. Layers are added at a glacial pace for over one minute, not building suspense but with minimal but effective changes. Percussion quickens the pulse, lifting the arrangement to new transcendental heights rather than jolting you out of the trance. Ada's phrasing remains slickly smooth among the swelling sounds, providing just enough rhythmic intrigue for subtle movement.
The song is inspired by "Fullmetal Alchemist," and it deals with themes of equivalence and impermanence against an alchemical light. We all search for perfection but find only imperfection; as the song says, "It's hard to imagine the beauty of imperfection." But Carpe Diem is telling us about these momentary things, imperfect forms, that perhaps meaning does come out of meaninglessness. Perfection might be an unattainable motive, though it drives us to live each moment fuller than we had.
In some ways, Carpe Diem probably attained their optimal state by embracing their imperfections. Recorded in Hong Kong's Yeah Studios with a talented roster of musicians including bassist Bryan Kam, percussionist Dennis Chan, and keyboardist Dominic Kwok, they conjured up "Ne plus Ultra"'s transcendental qualities from a basis of experimentation, revision, and artistic evolution. What this means is the creation of a track that reverberates with authenticity, pulling listeners deep into its imaginative world.
I was enthralled by the first enveloping notes of Carpe Diem's "Ne plus Ultra." Just the haunting vocals by Ada with Keith's lush guitar scapes did it for me; I was whisked into a vivid dreamscape. I loved the new insights into the temporality of life from "Ne plus Ultra," and will continue to enjoy untangling further meanings from the tracks of Carpe Diem.
For those who are interested in where the Carpe Diem path has been taking them so far or who are craving more exploration, just listening to their songs will give one the best opportunity to do it. Press play on "Ne plus Ultra" and let Carpe Diem guide you there for an unforgettable parallel reality.