Composer and sound designer Jo Quail recently announced details on her seventh album ‘Notan’ —a work of striking contrast and graceful power. Drawing its name from the Japanese concept that explores the interplay of light and dark, the album unfolds as a deeply personal journey through polarity: presence and absence, softness and intensity, expansion and return.
What began in June 2023 as a series of raw, looped improvisations evolved into something far larger: a symphonic tapestry titled Ianus, now destined for recording with full orchestra in late 2025. But Notan is not that orchestral vision—it is the source from which it sprang, and the space to which it returns.
In these solo iterations, the music breathes with both intimacy and grandeur—cello, electric cello, and piano intertwine in richly layered textures. The sounds Jo creates on both acoustic and electric cello range from the traditional to the highly sculpted; all sound design and modelling is her own, forming the distinctive sonic identity that makes her music instantly recognisable. Each track is a live take, with every looped section performed in full, capturing the immediacy of live performance while allowing for a more considered control of sound—one that honours the context of making a record.
‘First Rain’ is the 2nd single to be shared from ’Notan’ with Jo stating,
“First Rain arrived almost without ceremony — and seemed to emerge fully formed. It’s the first time I’ve brought piano into my recorded work, and capturing it with a very basic single mic set-up felt fitting for this piece – instinctive and unfiltered. I’ve included it on Notan because I have a strong feeling this is where it belongs.”
Listen to ‘First Rain’ now: https://joquail.bandcamp.com/track/first-rain
Notan doesn’t demand interpretation. It invites it. Or not. Its contours hold space for listeners to write their own stories—or simply rest within the music’s breadth and resonance. While rooted in the language of contemporary classical music, Notan speaks fluently to those attuned to atmosphere, weight, and wonder—resonating with audiences who feel deeply, listen fully, and welcome the journey.
‘Notan’ is released on 12th September (Adderstone Records). Pre-order the album now: https://joquail.bandcamp.com/album/notan