Simon Polygonia Popp Apiformes Vinyl

Polygonia and Simon Popp present Apiformes, the second collaborative release from the two Munich-based artists. The duo discovered their shared polyrhythmic sensibilities by way of an introduction from Squama’s Martin Brugger in 2022, which quickly led to the artists’ first concert performance and creation of their debut album Candid.As with ‘Candid’, ‘Apiformes’ was born from pure improvisation. Originating from the stems of four concerts, additional elements were built on from a foundation of live recordings — an intuitive endeavor by the musicians with such integrated effects to give one the impression of a sole sonic organism, and mystifying which sound is coming from which performer. Rapid creative decisions create an intriguing sense of aliveness, producing a uniquely vibrant buzz of jazz and electronic influences.The duo set an otherworldly tone in their latest release, with leanings towards acoustic and percussion-heavy instrumentation, combined with playful synthetic musings which create a sense of opening up: an intriguing and earnest exploration of the ethereal, and what is available in nature as a window to the divine. Named for the scientific name for bees, the project’s mix of warm, dynamic improvisation and sequenced synth instrumentalisation mimic the similarly complex mathematical structures of a bee colony: a visual and sonic world made up of geometric shapes, mating dances and navigation patterns, sensations perhaps most energetically available through a sense of wonder rather than logical extrication.Tied together by the energetic hum of the beehive, a diverse, genre-bending soundscape blurs the lines between organic and electric influences. Opening track “Superorganism” introduces a sense of possibility and optimistic spontaneity, with Popp’s mesmerising percussive rhythms grounding a flowing curiosity, accentuated by Polygonia’s mystic vocals. “Compound Signal” delivers us into expedition, evoking something of an elevated, jazz-infused video game soundtrack, slowing down into a drone-like, determined searching in “Recruitment Signal”. “Honeydrop” features sharp, sparing synth, with Polygonia’s delicate cantillation echoing through, followed by the expansive aerial wanderings of “Flight Formation”, the dynamic, energetic cacophony found in “Nectar Flow”, and the exquisite swirling toplines of “Biotic Circuits”.Lindsey Wang aka Polygonia draws from an acoustic background to create colourful, genre-fluid electronic music. Inspired by UK Bass, Breakbreat, House, Footwork, IDM, Ambient, Grey Area, Experimental and Techno, as well as nature as a central source of inspiration, Wang’s creative influence defies any sole categorisation. A multidisciplinary art project made up of illustration, graphic and UI/UX design alongside musicianship, Polygonia is defined by the artist’s wide emotional spectrum, as well as a spontaneous adaptation to atmosphere in DJ and live sets. As founder of label QEONE, co-founder of IO collective, one member of jazz trio Lyder and the creator of audio software company DSP Dealer, Wang has her foot in a varied set of holds. Since 2023, she also has a standing residency at Munich’s BLITZ club.Trained in jazz drumming, Bavarian-born percussionist Simon Popp has touted his values in experimentation over perfectionism and space for happy accidents, philosophies which have gone on to inform the complex polyrhythmic tendencies, melodic subtleties and abundant sense of play which define his body of work. Alongside four solo studio albums, Popp’s work extends into several collaborative projects such as Fazer, 9ms and Poeji, as well as his duo project with Polygonia. Popp has inspired comparisons by Bleep to compositional pioneers Philip Glass and Steve Reich, as well as received acclaim from Clash, Juno and Ransom Note. Popp received the Advancement Award for Music from the City of Music in 2023, and a nomination for the German Jazz Prize in 2025.