Living Torch

Living Torch
Studio album by
Kali Malone
ReleasedJuly 7, 2022 (2022-07-07)
Recorded2020–2021[1]
Studio
GenreElectroacoustic[2]
Length33:33
LabelPortraits GRM
ProducerKali Malone
Kali Malone chronology
The Sacrificial Code
(2019) 		Living Torch
(2022) 		Does Spring Hide Its Joy
(2023)

Living Torch is a studio album by American composer Kali Malone. It was released on July 7, 2022, through Portraits GRM. It received universal acclaim from critics.[3]

Background

Kali Malone is an American composer born in Colorado and based in Stockholm, Sweden.[4] Living Torch is her first studio album since The Sacrificial Code (2019).[5] It was commissioned by the Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM).[6]

Living Torch consists of two tracks: "Living Torch I" and "Living Torch II".[5] It was composed at GRM studios in Paris, France, between 2020 and 2021.[5] Malone wrote the album in 11-odd limit just intonation.[7] She used Éliane Radigue's ARP 2500 synthesizer, as well as boîte à bourdons.[7] The album features contributions from Mats Äleklint (on trombone) and Isak Hedtjärn (on bass clarinet).[8]

Living Torch was conceived for GRM's Acousmonium speaker setup and premiered there in October 2021, three months after the death of Peter Rehberg, who launched Recollection GRM and Portraits GRM.[7] The album was released on July 7, 2022, through Portraits GRM.[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic84/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork8.0/10[7]
Uncut8/10[9]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Living Torch received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from 4 critic scores.[3]

Jaša Bužinel of The Quietus stated, "Taking from the heritage of American minimalism and the French 20th century avant-garde, despite its monolithic soundwaves (like the most powerful sun rays piercing your body at noon at the height of summer) and apparently static nature, Living Torch is Malone's most dynamic and eventful work so far."[10] Ted Davis of Resident Advisor wrote, "Where her past work could sound like it was written for a grandiose 18th-century opera house, Living Torch is closer to the long-lost sonic component of a modern art installation, endless in its possibilities and imagination."[11]

Los Angeles Times placed "Living Torch I" at number 47 on its list of "The 100 Best Songs of 2022".[12]

Accolades

Year-end lists for Living Torch
Publication List Rank Ref.
The Quietus Quietus Albums of the Year 2022
34
[13]
The Vinyl Factory Our Favourite Albums of 2022
—
[14]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kali Malone.

Living Torch track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Living Torch I"18:33
2."Living Torch II"15:00
Total length:33:33

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[1]

  • Kali Malone – ARP 2500, modular synthesis, pure data, boîte à bourdons, production
  • Mats Äleklint – trombone
  • Isak Hedtjärn – bass clarinet
  • Emmanuel Richier – pre-mastering
  • Stephan Mathieu – mastering
  • Andreas Kauffelt – lacquer cut
  • Stephen O'Malley – sleeve design
  • Estelle Hanania – photography
  • Ross Caliendo – painting

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Living Torch | Kali Malone". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Sherburne, Philip (February 12, 2024). "Kali Malone Studied Farming. Fate Brought Her to Avant-Garde Music". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Living Torch by Kali Malone". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  4. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Kali Malone". AllMusic. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Rugoff, Lazlo (July 8, 2022). "Kali Malone explores electroacoustics on new LP, Living Torch". The Vinyl Factory. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  6. ^ Monroe, Jazz; Bloom, Madison (July 8, 2022). "8 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Burna Boy, Brent Faiyaz, and More". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Currin, Grayson Haver (July 12, 2022). "Kali Malone: Living Torch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  8. ^ Gotrich, Lars (July 8, 2022). "Kali Malone, 'Living Torch II'". NPR. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  9. ^ Robinson, John (October 2022). "New Albums". Uncut. p. 33.
  10. ^ Bužinel, Jaša (August 2, 2022). "Hyperspecific: Dance Music For August Reviewed By Jaša Bužinel". The Quietus. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  11. ^ Davis, Ted (July 27, 2022). "Kali Malone - Living Torch". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "The 100 best songs of 2022 (complete with playlist!)". Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  13. ^ "Quietus Albums Of The Year 2022 (In Association With Norman Records) (page 4)". The Quietus. December 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  14. ^ "Our favourite albums of 2022". The Vinyl Factory. December 23, 2022. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
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