In "Harkening Critters", the label Forms of Minutiae has curated a sprawling collection of soundscapes that’s more than a mere compilation - it's an invitation to listen as though you’re being let in on nature’s secret concert. Across three CDs and four hours, this album transports you to the heart of wild spaces and offers a rare sonic experience as unvarnished as it is enchanting.

Each recording is a character study of sorts, focusing on creatures who are often heard but seldom seen. The listener moves from hammer-headed bats in Uganda to the gentle rustles of pink river dolphins, as artists like Martha Mutiso and Jana Irmert use field recordings to reveal each environment’s voice and rhythm. There’s an intimacy in these moments, as though we’re eavesdropping on dialogues the natural world has been having all along. The clever ambiguity of the title invites us to wonder: are we merely observers, or are these critters just as keenly listening back?

Curated by Pablo Diserens and Mathieu Bonnafous, the album merges art and environmental advocacy, with all proceeds supporting "Friends of the Earth". It's not only a testament to the diversity of Earth's voices, but also a reminder of our role in safeguarding them. For anyone seeking a quiet but profound connection to the world beyond human sound, "harkening critters" offers a beautifully immersive experience, with each track a small, poignant reminder of nature’s ongoing conversation.