Very little is given away on Queensland sound artist Lawrence English’ latest solo release. It’s a gentle electro acoustic outing, with processed field recordings and electronics coagulating into a drifting drone based work. Elements appear across the frequency spectrum, delicate high-pitched microsonics existing alongside lower end rumbles and mid range drones that sound like digital feedback. At times you think you can make out the chatter of frogs, birds or even children playing yet just prior to identification it merges into a strange staticy rumble or disappears altogether so you can never really be sure what you’re listening to. And it doesn’ appear to be about the discovery or identification of individual components regardless, rather these strange highly processed constructions seem to alternate between creating strange new semi industrialised austere electronic environments or existing on the fringes of musicality due to some of their repetitive components. There is an evolving nature to all the pieces as they slowly roll out, dragging a myriad of extraneous sounds with them. There’ also a certain stillness to the work with no abrupt ruptures or strange changes. Whilst it’s never clear exactly what tools English is utilising he receives some additional assistance from guitarist Mike Cooper, electronics from Janek Schaefer, and tapes from Aki Onda. It’s definitely a calming immersive though quite delicate and nuanced experience. Headphones recommended.
Bob Baker Fish
