Hot Salvation

For the past few years, Misha Hering has channeled his creative energies through Memnon Sa, a platform for delving deep into the recesses of his imagination. Operating from his base at the renowned Holy Mountain Studios in London (known for hosting the likes of Spiritualized, Idles, and 40 Watt Sun), Hering has given life to three expansive albums: "Citadel" (2014), "Lemurian Dawn" (2018), and the critically acclaimed "World Serpent" (2020). With his fourth album, and the first to be released on Shadow World, Hering's artistic endeavors have been profoundly influenced by the world he currently inhabits.

Initially rooted in the world of teenage hip-hop fandom, Memnon Sa has now evolved to immerse itself in the realms of new age, jazz, kosmiche, and doom metal. Hering stands alongside contemporaries like Virginia Wing, Xam Duo, and Duffin as a deeply esoteric and cerebral member of this close-knit group of long-standing friends and collaborators.

Much like many artistic, societal, and industrial outputs worldwide in the post-2021 era, "Offworld Radiation Therapy" has been shaped significantly by Misha's experiences during the global pandemic. Fleeing the UK on one of the last flights back to his hometown of Geneva, Switzerland, in 2020 to care for his parents—initially expecting a brief visit that turned into an extended stay—Hering swapped the bustling streets of Hackney for the serene tranquility of the Swiss Alps. "Offworld Radiation Therapy" serves as a narrative of this mental and emotional journey, chronicling the personal and collective trauma that humanity continues to grapple with, influenced by the dystopian leadership exhibited by international politicians. Through the peaks and valleys of hope, mourning, corruption, lies, and the experience of illness itself, the album unfolds as a late-20th century sci-fi film played out in real-time.

"Offworld Radiation Therapy" offers a glimpse into the future, beyond the fog of uncertainty, by embracing a form of futurism reminiscent of visionaries like Jon Hassell, scientists/dreamers such as Carl Sagan, and cultural creators like Gene Rodenberry and Ursula K. Le Guin. This audio-visual package hints at a utopian world that could emerge after our current one, one in which humanity restructures society to prioritize sanctuary and safety over growth and acquisition. It beckons us to explore new realms that foster a sense of humility regarding our true place in the cosmic hierarchy.

Capitalism tends to overlook and resist the fact that we are not the ultimate masters of nature. As the dust settles from the COVID-19 pandemic, this realization is dawning upon us collectively. In Switzerland, Misha and his wife sought refuge in the idyllic embrace of mountains and forests, living away from urban life for over a year, creating their own utopian haven. During this time, the melodic and textural elements of "Offworld Radiation Therapy" revealed themselves as a crystalline reflection of their new environment. Amidst spiraling saxophone and thunderous drums, luminous modal synth melodies gently unfold, imbued with a spiritual resonance. This music reflects human gratitude, humility, and an overwhelming sense of awe toward both nature and technology—an artistic glimpse into the potential evolution of civilization.

Reflecting on the album's musicians, Hering notes, "Duffin brought an element of wildness to the record, infusing it with a woozy, chaotic quality that accentuated the emotional turmoil within the compositions. His playing evokes the spirit of artists like John Zorn or Jon Hassell. Looking back, I feel the album bears a certain emotional ambiguity, with tension and ambiguity throughout. Duffin certainly heightened those elements." Regarding the grandiose rhythms, he adds, "Andy Prestige delivers fantastic drumming on the album. To date, it's my favorite drumming on any Memnon Sa record. It never veers too heavily or too funkily, avoiding categorization within any specific genre, which further underscores the emotional and stylistic blending."

In this latest endeavour, the album artwork is a collaborative effort with acclaimed design siblings Dan and Joe Burrows (known for their work with Fenty, Gucci, Shadow World, and Vertical Rhythm). It perfectly encapsulates the visual language evoked by "Offworld Radiation Therapy"—part '60s new-age cult-retreat brochure, part pulp-futurism, delivered with an intriguing blend of unease and wonder.