LEILA BORDREUIL — Geophonics

Leila Bordreuil – Geophonics opens the W.25TH release W25-21LP, a 12-inch vinyl that situates itself at the intersection of ambient and experimental sound art. The French-American cellist and composer uses the format to present a three-part exploration of feedback, resonance and the acoustic properties of space, recorded in a former convent in rural Belgium. Within the W.25TH catalogue, Geophonics follows earlier outings such as Ellen Arkbro’s Sounds While Waiting (W25-15LP, 2023) and Cindy Lee’s Model Express (W25-09LP, 2025), and precedes Gabriel Ferrandini’s Romance (W25-22LP, 2026). The label’s recent focus on immersive, texture-driven releases provides a fitting home for Bordreuil’s sculptural approach to sound. Side A begins with “Collision”. The piece launches from a sustained G that reverberates like a drone, establishing a tonal centre that gradually thickens into a gnarly, agitated texture. The evolving soundscape recalls the disembodied electric guitar of Skullflower, while high-pitched squeals emerge and are steered with the precision of a soloist. The track closes by returning to the initial resonance, now enriched with metallic overtones that highlight the feedback loop between cello, bass amp and piano strings. The second movement, “Soft Landing”, shifts focus to low-end feedback that intertwines with the warm, organ-like timbres of an ARP 2500. The interaction creates a subwoofer-friendly foundation, from which a barely perceptible dissonant chord surfaces, offering a subtle point of tension before the texture dissolves back into sustained drone. Side B’s “Plateau” revisits the opening G note, extending it into a diffuse ambient field. Bordreuil’s bowing remains meditative, while multiphonics gradually coalesce into a chord, reinforcing the piece’s sense of gradual bloom. The track functions as a contemplative conclusion, inviting listeners to hear the inherent harmony of the surrounding environment. Geophonics expands Bordreuil’s practice of using feedback not as a mere effect but as an instrument that “sonifies” silence, air and an unplayed piano. By allowing the physical space of the recording venue to become a participant, the record offers a rare example of spectral techniques applied through natural acoustic interaction rather than digital manipulation. For DJs and collectors attuned to deep listening and experimental set constructions, the three tracks provide distinct moods: “Collision” works as an opening statement or a dramatic interlude; “Soft Landing” supplies a low-frequency anchor suitable for late-night, sub-heavy moments; and “Plateau” offers an expansive, meditative backdrop for transitions into more abstract terrain. The vinyl format preserves the subtle harmonic overtones and the spatial depth that are central to Bordreuil’s concept. The release is presented as a 12-inch vinyl, preserving the full dynamic range of the recorded feedback and resonances. The analogue medium captures the nuanced interaction between cello, piano strings and electronic amplification, making the record a compelling artifact for those who value tactile, physical sound experiences. Leila Bordreuil – Geophonics, W.25TH, catalogue W25-21LP, 12-inch vinyl, three tracks. Tracklist: A1. Leila Bordreuil – 1: Collision 8:4 A2. Leila Bordreuil – 2: Soft Landing 1:0 A3. Leila Bordreuil – 3: Plateau 07:58