Review of Ananta Govinda’s New Album: Mirror of Desire

This year has brought so many surprises for all of us, and uncertainty has reigned high over our minds. But like a silent storm of beauty and novelty, brewing to strike light in the drooping hearts, Ananta Govinda comes with his new album–Mirror of Desire. Part of much a bigger plan, this album is a sweet invitation to a mystical world, which will have a novel and also a multimedia production also.

I often get to listen to the music of different genres and tastes but to bring so many elements, styles, and concepts in just around forty minutes of play, you need to have a divine calling and divine backing too. You will agree with me if you look at the names of musicians who played in this album and the virtuosity they brought in.

Well, you have to give it a listen if you want to really get an idea of what I am talking about–it is more than what can be written about it!

Album Name: Mirror of Desire

Artist Name: Ananta Govinda

Total Time: 38:23

The album has eight songs and all of them are unique in the sense that they carry different feelings of a longing heart. The compositions, the music arrangement, and the recording done at various studios for this album–everything gives you a glimpse of how much sincerity and concern and toil and sweat goes behind a package that would bring to you a mean to spend your time–something, which you will never get back. But this album is worth your while!

Like a breath of fresh air, the title tracks “Mirror of Desire” opens you up to a world of fantasy–or reality. The boundaries often blur there. It opens with an unmissable call of the bamboo flute by John Wubbenhorst (had the pleasure of listening to him in-person in New Delhi) and Sanskrit chants, and you are immediately transported on another plane. It is a preview for the whole album–pregnant with masterful musical notes and beats. I mean, what should I say: the drums? The guitar? The sax (simply amazing!!!)? or the words? Get ready for a ride if you have felt tied down by the pandemic for the last 5-6 months–wash that ‘mirror of desire’ of dust, for the time has come for fulfillment!

“Self-writing Book” is a concept-based song where you accept the play of Karma and ‘let go’ of what you want to happen in your life. And what better way would be there than to celebrate this philosophically-liberating understanding than have reggae-style fusion–heavy and loaded with beats, this one will make you sit up!

My favorite track of the album is “Golden Goddess.” It has to be. I mean Radha–the epitome of surrendering love; the ideal of devotees, and the guide on the path of realization. Ananta’s voice is so fitting and fulfilling in this song–an aspirant who is pleading to the goddess of common-folk to throw a beatific glance. With the way he says ‘haripriye,’ I can give this song a thousand spins in a day! (Very endearing, indeed!) Once again, the combination of strings, Sanskrit, and drums make it a very-very unique track suffused with bhakti-rasa.

Lili Haydn takes you to a soul-searching sortie with her vocals and violin in “Mazes of the Mind.” The song starts slowly settling into a balancing rhythm. Will Calhoun has undoubtedly taken this whole album to new dimensions with his prowess.

I am just amazed at the work conceptualized and executed by Ananta in this album. To think of combining Opera singing (Paulette Penzvalto) with Sarod (Ayaan Bhai–had the pleasure of listening to him on multiple times) is just so out of this world. Cellos and drums…you can feel your heart racing as you enter “Into the Timelessness” by Vikredi.

“River of Time” is a beautiful jazz-like track featuring Pierre Edel, and also the return of Scott Page on saxophone. Light and lucid, it flows like a river.

Electronic mysticism envelopes you as you enter the “Room of Darshan.” The chamber of your heart where you come tete-a-tete with your beloved; where, as they say, the veil is removed and the reality is ‘seen.’ In this room, there is soft stillness because burdens have been shed and given up. I can’t imagine somebody creating the imagination on a saxophone and guitar like this–ambient and alive!

“Mantra of Paradesha” is the culmination of the album into something that is sweet, profound, and powerful. Gopal Krishna Balaram opens up with the Indian invocation before Ananta takes it into a different mood where a seeker gives everything it has! The drums play beautifully with a surrounding effect and the electronic guitar by Alex Liapin is so wonderful too.

What should I say about an album which is conceptually, technically, and musically so rich and delivering! There is a separate world in this album and it seems our whole world has come together to make it. Music is a gift of the celestial power to humanity, and this is what is expected to be done with it!

Listen to Mirror of Desire on Spotify