Album Review: گوزنها by اسفندیار منفردزاده
Alright, buckle up, because this one’s gonna be a ride. گوزنها (or The Deer, for those who don’t speak Persian) is the brainchild of اسفندیار منفردزاده, an Iranian composer whose name I still can’t pronounce after five tries. The album falls under the genres of Classical and Stage & Screen, which sounds fancy until you realize it’s basically just music that makes you feel like you’re in a black-and-white movie where everyone wears suits but nobody talks much. Released under Not On Label—because apparently labels are too mainstream these days—it’s got that raw, unfiltered vibe. And hey, there’s even a track with no title! Bold move or lazy oversight? You decide.
Now, let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me like gum on a hot sidewalk. First off, we’ve got [Insert Track Name Here] (okay fine, maybe it has a title, but I couldn’t find it). This piece hits you with strings so dramatic they could soundtrack your grandma yelling at pigeons. It’s all sweeping violins and brooding cellos, like someone took a bunch of deer running through a forest and turned their panic into soundwaves. Every time I hear it, I imagine myself as the tragic hero in some forgotten opera, except instead of dying nobly, I trip over my own shoelaces. Relatable, right?
Then there’s another unnamed gem—let’s call it “Mystery Banger 2.” This one sneaks up on you like a cat in the night. At first, it’s all soft piano notes, delicate and dreamy, like watching clouds morph into weird shapes. But then BAM! Outta nowhere comes this thunderous percussion section that feels like Zeus himself decided to join the jam session. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and honestly kind of genius. If this track were a person, it’d be that friend who shows up late to every party but steals the spotlight the second they walk in.
So yeah, گوزنها isn’t perfect. Some parts drag on longer than your uncle’s fishing stories, and the lack of track titles is either artsy or just plain confusing. But here’s the thing—it’s memorable. Like, really memorable. These aren’t songs you listen to while folding laundry; they’re more like musical mood swings that demand your attention.
Final thought? Listening to this album feels like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. Frustrating? Sure. Rewarding? Absolutely. Just don’t ask me to explain what the deer have to do with anything—I gave up on that question after track three.
Rating: 8/10. Or 9/10 if you’re into mysterious vibes and untitled masterpieces.
