Velella by East of West is an album that refuses to fit neatly into predefined boxes, choosing instead to drift across musical borders with effortless grace. Named after Velella velella, the “by-the-wind sailor” hydrozoan that floats across open ocean waters guided entirely by the elements, the Australian trio’s fourth studio LP embodies that exact spirit of effortless, far-reaching voyage.
When reviewing music of this nature, people often reach for lazy descriptors like “exotic.” But that word misses the mark entirely: it implies there is one “default” musical form while everything else is an anomaly. What East of West achieves here isn’t surprising because it is foreign; it awes us because it is fundamentally human. This is how music and culture have always grown, by breathing together, crossing paths, and creating new languages from shared heritage. Building on the foundation of their previous collaboration, which I explored in my review of Pastorale, this new offering carries that signature spice and distinct chemistry that only Goran Gajić (double bass), Malindi Morris (percussion), and Philip Griffin (oud and laouto) can cultivate.
The Dynamic Chemistry of Velella by East of West
Recorded live in Meanjin (Brisbane) by sound engineer Siiri Metsar and mastered by Michael Lynch, the record captures an acoustic intimacy that feels immediate and unvarnished. Over eight years of playing together, the trio has built a telepathic musical dialogue. Gajić’s compositions weave gentle melodic motifs into uptempo passages and Balkan-influenced time signatures, leaving ample room for mesmerising sparseness and open improvisation.
A notable shift on this release is the space given to percussionist Malindi Morris, whose carefully crafted rhythm work bursts into beautiful, unstructured solos. Meanwhile, Philip Griffin contributes two standout compositions of his own, including the adventurous “A Distinct Lack of Parrotfinch”, written in a staggering 50/8 time signature and named after his birdwatching pursuits, and the tender “Camille,” written for his god-daughter.
Velella Track-by-Track
- Green Clouds
The album opens with single, grounding notes from Gajić’s double bass paired with Griffin’s scattered oud motifs. As percussion slowly enters, the piece transforms into a flowing river, the kind you find yourself staring into, lost in its rhythm. Clocking in at nearly eight minutes, it stands as the album’s longest journey, navigating bends, key shifts, and dynamic changes while maintaining a serene, coherent atmosphere. - Small Hero
A punchier, rhythmic entry where Griffin’s oud takes center stage. Driven by West Asian and Balkan sensibilities, the piece expands around a captivating main theme, turning variations into a vibrant, full-bodied conversation. - Spring Street
Beginning with a solo oud drifting across a free, unmetered rhythm, “Spring Street” is a breathtaking display of West Asian modal nuance. It stands as a moment of pure acoustic wonder that showcases Griffin’s deep sensitivity to the instrument. - Gathering
Shifting back into dynamic motion, “Gathering” brings an almost dance-like, celebration-focused energy. Morris’s percussion acts as the heartbeat here, propelling the ensemble through tight unison passages and lively interplay. - Overseas
Built around a hypnotic ostinato-style riff on the oud, “Overseas” channels the raw drive of rock music delivered entirely through acoustic instruments. It creates an urgent, driving momentum that defies genre labels and simply demands to be heard. - A Distinct Lack of Parrotfinch
Switching to the laouto and opening with delicate harmonics, this is easily the most contemporary and rhythmically complex piece on the record. Navigating sudden key changes and an intricate 50/8 meter, it blends Balkan inflections with a standout bass solo from Gajić that anchors the chaos in pure groove. - Dancing Leaves
Less of a physical dance and more of a contemplative ritual, “Dancing Leaves” pulls the listener into a hypnotic, meditative space. Its repetition and subtle textural changes create a deep, immersive atmosphere. - Camille
Spatial and atmospheric, “Camille” opens like a gentle gust of wind passing through a quiet valley. As Griffin’s oud introduces a central melody, a rhythmic pulse slowly takes shape, shifting speeds and alternating between free-form melody and structured cadence in a mesmerizing display of timing. - Velella
The title track brings the album to a peaceful close. Soft, buoyant, and fluid, it leaves a lingering sense of warmth and movement long after the final note fades.
Final Thoughts
With artwork by John Wright matching the organic aesthetic of the sound, Velella by East of West is a masterclass in intuitive group improvisation and cross-cultural dialogue. By allowing their melodies to drift freely across Balkan rhythms and West Asian modal traditions, the trio has delivered a recording that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly unanchored, a true journey across open musical waters.
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